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New York City’s struggle to clear streets after the Jan. 25 winter storm can be traced to a policy shift that let drivers leave private cars on public roads, a change that began under the Bloomberg administration.
What happened?
For more than five decades the city posted thousands of red “snow route” signs that prohibited parking during declared snow emergencies. The program began in 1961 after a particularly brutal winter and remained in effect until the last emergency was declared by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani in December 2000.
In 2013, during the final months of Michael Bloomberg’s mayoralty, every snow‑route sign was quietly removed and the city officially stopped using the snow‑route system. The Department of Transportation, which manages street signs and is theoretically in charge of declaring snow emergencies, confirmed that the city no longer employs snow routes.
According to a DOT official, the signs were taken down “because it was determined that having drivers scramble to move vehicles ahead of an advancing snowstorm wasn’t necessary, nor productive for snow removal efforts.” The official did not specify who made that determination.
The Department of Sanitation, which runs snow‑clearing operations, said it could not immediately explain why the program was abandoned but argued that modern equipment can now reach narrow streets and protected bike lanes, making the designated routes “unnecessary.”
Why it matters
Critics argue that eliminating snow routes hampers safe and efficient snow removal, especially for cyclists, bus riders and drivers. “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz, a former traffic chief, called the cancellation “a big mistake,” saying the lack of clear routes endangers all road users.
Schwartz noted that the original routes were chosen by the Police Department to prioritize arterials, commercial districts and bus corridors, using a simple rule of thumb: any street with a parking meter was a snow street. He also recalled that drivers historically adapted by moving cars during emergencies, allowing streets to be cleared within a few days.
Other North‑American cities—Boston, Washington, Toronto, Montréal and Chicago—enforce parking bans on major roads during winter emergencies, a practice that appears to function well.
What may happen next
City officials could reconsider the snow‑route concept if mounting evidence links the policy change to slower snow clearance. Analysts expect that pressure from transportation experts and the public might lead to a revival of designated routes or the adoption of similar parking bans used by peer cities.
Alternatively, the Department of Sanitation may continue to rely on newer equipment, while the Department of Transportation could refine its communication about parking rules during snow emergencies. It is possible that future snow events will prompt a review of the 2013 decision and result in clearer guidelines for drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did New York City ever have snow‑route signs?
Yes. Thousands of red signs marked major roadways as “snow routes” where parking was prohibited during declared snow emergencies, starting in 1961.
When were the snow‑route signs removed?
The signs were quietly removed in 2013, during the final stretch of Michael Bloomberg’s mayoralty, and the city stopped using the snow‑route system.
Which agency decided to complete the snow‑route program?
It remains unclear who made the decision. The Department of Transportation confirmed the program’s end but did not specify who authorized it, and the Department of Sanitation could not immediately explain the rationale.
How do you think the absence of snow‑route signage affects everyday commuters during a winter storm?
