Philadelphia snow emergency ends; city school district virtual, SEPTA operating on Saturday schedule

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The snow emergency in Philadelphia was lifted on Tuesday morning, but the work to clean up from the weekend storm continues.

Due to this effort, city offices and courts will be closed on Tuesday. Officials also said the School District of Philadelphia will operate virtually.

WATCH: Philadelphia officials provide update on storm response

“Based on the conditions due to the inclement weather, out of an abundance of caution and in order to ensure the safety of our entire school community, including our valued staff members who commute from various counties across the region, tomorrow all School District of Philadelphia schools and Early Childhood Centers, as well as the Constance E. Clayton Education Center (Central Office) will operate virtually,” the district said in a statement Tuesday. “All after-school activities, including all athletic programs and professional development sessions scheduled for Tuesday, are also canceled.”

The city continues its race against the clock to clear as much snow as possible before temperatures dip even lower by the end of the week.

The Streets Department is in full deployment, according to their website, with a virtual map showing the status of salting and plowing operations across the city.

A new piece of equipment – an industrial-sized snow melter – is helping to speed up those efforts. Officials say the Streets Department has melted nearly 900 tons of snow in 10 hours.

“Whatever we don’t get could possibly freeze and makes it that much more difficult for us to plow frozen material,” said Carlton Williams, the director of Clean and Green Initiatives.

While primary roads throughout the city are drivable, residential neighborhoods feel left behind, like in Olney.

“It’s bad. It’s like that on a lot of roads around here,” said Isaiah Marshall.

In East Falls, residents are asking for more time to clear the sidewalks after some received a $50 fine around 11 a.m. Monday. City leaders say there must be a clear path that’s at least 36 inches wide within six hours after snowfall.

Action News found crews working to clear a SEPTA trolley station in University City.

Trolley service was fully restored by early afternoon. Regional Rail service will return on Tuesday, operating on a Saturday schedule. And the majority of SEPTA’s bus routes are expected to be restored for the morning commute.

City officials also say they’re not responding to individual 311 complaints yet, but residents should keep reporting them. The city is still tracking those calls and using the data to identify problem areas.

Trash collection will also resume Tuesday, operating on a holiday schedule.