NYC Crews Preparing For Sunday's Snowfall While Still Cleaning Up From Previous Winter Storm
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Crews are trying to prepare for Sunday's snowfall while still clearing up the roads from the winter storm earlier this week.
New York City sanitation workers spent Saturday afternoon in front-end loaders and bulldozers near 48th and 10th, cleaning up the wintry mix left behind from the snow storm that pounded the Tri-State Area earlier this week.
"This is Saturday, and the snow storm was on Monday. They're still cleaning it out, so it's crazy to see it," Manhattan resident Kendra Vanhorn said.
WEATHER TIMELINE: Winter Storm Could Bring Up To 8 Inches Of Snow Sunday
The post-storm assignment turned a four-lane street into just two lanes, creating a little bit of congestion for some drivers.
Andre Roblez bypassed the traffic on foot, saying he's finding the beauty in the mess.
"Even though it slows down traffic and business, but sometimes we need that in life, you know," he told CBS2's Cory James.
As crews worked to get the job done, New York City sanitation officials held a press conference ahead of the next snow storm, expected to arrive Sunday.
"Back-to-back storms are something we train for, and they are a reality in February in New York," Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson said. "We have over 200,000 tons of salt on hand to fight this event. What we will be doing is redeploying all 715 salt spreaders and 2,005 vehicles to respond to tomorrow's events."
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The city's office of emergency management announced a travel advisory will start at 6 a.m. Sunday so that road crews can safely fight the storm.
"Again, the safety of New Yorkers is our number one priority, so we encourage everybody again, while this isn't as much snow as we saw last weekend, still strongly encourage you to stay off the roads if you don't need to," NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell said.
Meanwhile, people are bracing for round two.
The Vanhorns, who escaped Manhattan for the Hamptons before the last storm, plan to ride this one out at home.
"I'll stay here. We'll be in our own bunker, working remotely at this point, so I think we'll be all set hopefully," Joel Vanhorn said.
MORE: Alternate Side Parking, Open Streets Dining Suspended In New York City Due To Winter Storm
Restaurants are also being told to prepare for the storm, with some restrictions on outdoor dining going into effect Sunday.
Outdoor dining will be allowed on sidewalks, but restaurants cannot let patrons sit at tables or structures that are in the streets.
Isaac Elvis, owner of Trattoria Casa di Isacco in Hell's Kitchen, says he's not going to stop serving people wanting to eat inside his structure in the street.
"Why? I spent $30,000 doing that outside. Table, heat, everything. People have to eat," he said. "I'm not [closing], but I'm not scared."
Mayor Bill de Blasio explained why the change is being made.
"Part of the Open Restaurants is actually in the street. Those will be closed because of the plowing, but the parts on sidewalks will still be open," he said.
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