Crews Cleaning Snow From Fifth Avenue Ahead Of Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Crews are scrambling to get rid of mounds of snow from Tuesday's storm before thousands of people try to line Fifth Avenue for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
Thursday morning, Fifth Avenue was bustling with front loaders and dump trucks hauling away snow, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported. While city streets are plowed, some sidewalks are still covered.
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"I think they did a decent job cleaning up here," said Stacey Richman. "I hope this is gone by this time tomorrow."
Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia said crews have been working to clear sidewalks and slush-filled streets.
"Hauling snow out of Fifth Avenue and out of the feeder streets to Fifth Avenue," she told WCBS 880's Myles Miller. "We know that the people are coming regardless of what we do, so we're trying to make sure that it's safe for all of the people who are marching as well as all of the fans of the St. Patrick's Day parade."
The city's St. Patrick's Day parade is the largest in the world and draws an average of two million revelers.
It was 63 degrees and balmy during last year's parade, but while this year's conditions may be a little slushier, the colder weather conditions won't keep spectators away.
"It brings you back to your own home, your heritage," one woman said.
The parade steps off at 11 a.m. Friday at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue. It marches up past St. Patrick's Cathedral at 50th Street and ends at 79th Street.
In New Jersey, snow and ice from Tuesday's winter storm prompted the postponement of the 82nd St. Patrick's Day parade in Newark. Officials said the aftermath of the winter storm could pose a risk to the safety of participants and spectators.
Instead of Friday, the parade will take place on March 24.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
