The snow has been falling all day and will soon intensify into a full blown blizzard this eventing.
A state of emergency was declared today by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani ahead of the coming blizzard through tomorrow with some areas getting up to 28 inches of snow.
I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Assistant Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs Bryant Daniels:
Will the Tram be running through the blizzard? Will the Red Bus?
Mr Bryant replied:
We’ll continue to run them as long as it’s safe. If or when that changes, we’ll alert the community with an advisory. The Tram will run unless wind speed is 50 mph or more.
At 7:06 pm RIOC issued an advisory suspending Red Bus service:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:
Due to worsening storm conditions, we are temporarily suspending Red Bus service at 7:30 PM tonight for the safety of our passengers and drivers.
Residents are strongly urged to remain indoors and avoid all travel as conditions continue to deteriorate.
Red Bus service will resume when road conditions are safe for travel. We will notify the community when service is restored.
Thank you for your understanding.
– Team RIOC
According to the RIOC Instagram page:
It’s windy and snowy, but the @leitner_poma_of_america team is out there keeping our Tram riders moving! The Tram can operate under most conditions, but safety comes first. If sustained winds reach 50 mph, service may be temporarily suspended. We’re monitoring the storm closely, but if you can stay home and avoid travel this evening, please do so.
Here’s more on the NYC Blizzard.
UPDATE 8:55 pm – RIOC adds:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:
Due to hazardous roadway conditions caused by the ongoing storm, the Helix is now temporarily closed to non-essential vehicular traffic until further notice.
This measure is being taken to ensure public safety and to allow crews to address roadway conditions.
Please also note that New York City has issued a travel ban for all vehicles beginning at 9:00 PM tonight.
Please stay off the roads and avoid any unnecessary travel.
Love the fact that private entities must clear sidewalks within a pre-defined period or receive a fine, but government entities do not.
Maybe we can form a voluntary shovel crew to salt and clear snow from sidewalks out the front of various parts of the Island on behalf of RIOC….