Arlington County Government Will Open at Noon Tuesday

• County offices, facilities, most courts will open 12 p.m. Tuesday
• County Board Meeting will convene at 3 p.m.
• Arlington Public Schools remain closed through Wednesday
• County urges everyone to help clear sidewalks

Arlington County Government offices, facilities, Circuit, Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts will open to the public at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 26 in the aftermath of the blizzard that slammed the region last Friday and Saturday.

Arlington County General District Court will be closed.

County crews are now deep into Phase 3 of snow cleanup operations, focusing on residential streets. In many areas, crews have had to bring in heavy construction equipment to break through snow/ice banks at the ends of streets so plows can get in.

The goal is to get to all neighborhood streets by Tuesday night but it may take until Wednesday, Jan. 27, to reach some sections given the amount of snowfall and related conditions, including buried parked cars.

County officials are asking residents for continued patience as enormous amounts of snow are removed from roadways and, in many cases, transported miles away. Overnight temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing early Tuesday, creating new icy conditions that will complicate the cleanup and make travel difficult in some areas.

Residents can check for updates on the recovery by visiting the County snow progress map (updated after each 12-hour shift) and report a snow issue online or by calling 703-228-6485.

Unscheduled leave and telework options are encouraged for County employees, with supervisor’s approval.

Many Parks and Recreation programs are canceled. Arlington Public Library will operate on an abbreviated Tuesday schedule beginning at noon with no children’s programs.

Schools closed through Wednesday

Arlington Public Schools will remain closed through Wednesday. School officials ask the community to assist in clearing school bus stops and nearby sidewalks in advance of students heading back to class.

Trash and recycling

Trash and recycling services are canceled for Monday, Jan. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 26, to assist snow crews in the clearing of residential streets. Service for Monday and Tuesday customers will resume next Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 1 and 2.

County Board Meeting

The Arlington County Board will convene as scheduled Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 3 p.m. It will defer consideration of both the January Consent and Regular Agendas to the Recessed Meeting now scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28.

The Tuesday Meeting will include:

• Storm recovery snow report and vote on lifting of Local Emergency status
• Board Reports
• Manager’s Report
• Update on Transportation Development Plan
• Update on Rosslyn Highlands Park
• Adjournment around 5 p.m. for closed session
• Reconvene around 6:30 p.m. Public Comment will be heard at this time, and again at 6:30 p.m. at the Thursday, Jan. 28 Meeting.
• Carry over Public Comment and Consent and Regular Agenda items to Thursday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Getting our community back up and running

Because of the massive amounts of snow that fell on area sidewalks, Arlington County has suspended enforcement of its Snow Removal Ordinance – meaning no citations will be issued during the cleanup.

However, the goals behind the ordinance remain: to keep pedestrians safe and ensure mobility for everyone. So all efforts to clear sidewalks for the community are appreciated. When clearing snow, shovel into yards if possible — not into the street.

Media Contact, Mary Curtius, 703-228-7943