Mayor Eddie Morán declared a Snow Emergency in the City of Reading during a press conference Friday afternoon at the Reading Public Works Garage on North Sixth Street, citing concerns over heavy snowfall and hazardous travel conditions.
As part of the Snow Emergency, the City of Reading will offer free parking in all City-owned parking garages beginning Saturday, Jan. 24, at noon through Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 7 a.m. Officials said the move is designed to reduce on-street parking and give Public Works crews the space needed to plow and treat roadways. The free parking applies only to parking garages; surface parking lots are not included. The 6th and Cherry parking lot will be reserved exclusively for approved emergency vehicles and will not be open to the public during the storm.
Under the Snow Emergency declaration, the city will prioritize plowing and treatment on designated Snow Emergency Routes, which serve as key corridors for traffic and provide access to hospitals, schools, fire stations, and public transit routes. Once those priority roads are cleared, crews will shift focus to residential and local streets.
The city’s Snow Emergency Routes include North and South Fifth Street, Lancaster Avenue, Walnut Street, Washington Street (including Second Street from Washington to Penn streets), Penn Street, Franklin Street, North 13th Street, Perkiomen Avenue, Schuylkill Avenue, Spring Street, Front Street from Penn Street to Cathedral, Eleventh Street from Franklin to Walnut streets, Kenhorst Boulevard, and Museum Road. City officials warned that vehicles left parked along Snow Emergency Routes may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.
Several city services will be affected by the storm. The Reading Codes Office Property Maintenance Division will cancel all scheduled inspections for Monday, Jan. 26. Officials said inspections scheduled for Tuesday may also be impacted depending on storm conditions, with additional updates to be provided as they become available.
Trash and recycling collection will be canceled for Monday, Jan. 26, with all pickups delayed by one day. Street sweeping remains suspended until further notice. City officials noted that street sweepers cannot operate during snow events because snow can damage the equipment.
City Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26, and the Reading City Council meeting scheduled for that evening at 7 p.m. has been postponed. The meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in City Council Chambers and via Zoom. The Committee of the Whole meeting previously scheduled for Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. has been canceled. City officials said agendas and access information for the rescheduled meetings will be posted on the city’s website.
Mayor Morán urged residents to take precautions and assist with storm response efforts. “We are committed to keeping Reading safe during this winter storm. Check in on your neighbors, move your vehicles off priority routes, and do your part to help our crews keep the streets clear,” Morán said.
City officials encouraged residents to monitor local media and the City of Reading’s official communication channels for real-time updates on snow removal operations and public safety information as the storm progresses.
