Philly ramps up snow removal efforts with 300 ‘ambassadors'

As Philadelphia continues to recover from last month’s winter storm, the city’s Streets Department is deploying extra help to get ice and snow out of the way for residents.

Parking restrictions took place along South Broad Street between Washington and Oregon avenues on Tuesday, Feb. 3, starting at 7 a.m. The restrictions ended at 6 p.m. and city officials told NBC10’s Johnny Archer that further restrictions are not expected to be implemented.

Across the city, the Streets Department deployed over 300 vehicles, front-end loaders and excavators organized into 16 teams. The crews are excavating snow from narrow roadways, collecting it on nearby primary streets, loading it into dump trucks and transporting it to snow storage sites across the city. Officials said those operations began on Sunday, Jan. 26, during the winter storm and have continued each day since then.

During a press conference on Monday, Feb. 2, Mayor Cherelle Parker said they would also deploy 300 additional “ambassadors” to help clear more streets and areas of snow.

“That means 300 more ambassadors who are on our streets in residential neighborhoods across the city, residential communities, helping us to clear streets and break up that ice that literally has to be done manually, particularly at the crosswalks,” Parker said. “We are not resting and stopping until every street in the city of Philadelphia is walkable and drivable and that people feel it when they are driving. And they see it in their neighborhoods.”

Those workers began snow removal operations on Tuesday.

“Making sure the seniors can get off their block, into their streets and across the street,” Damon Hall, one of the workers, told NBC10. “Get these corners and bus stops, wherever they need us, we’re going to be there.”

NBC10 also spoke with union leaders on Tuesday who said they were against bringing in outside workers. They told NBC10 they believe they have enough workers in their departments.

On Wednesday at 10 a.m., Parker will hold a press conference to announce the details for a same-day work and pay program “to accelerate snow and ice removal across Philadelphia.”

“The initiative will focus on clearing all ADA curb ramps in every City Council district to ensure safe and accessible access to recreation centers, schools, and commercial corridors throughout the city,” Parker’s office added.

Since the snowstorm, many Philadelphians have reported to the city or on social media about bus stops, roads, sidewalks and crosswalks that remain covered with snow.

Carlton Williams of the Office of Clean and Green, posted on social media on Tuesday, stating he’s heard all of the complaints and issues while assuring residents that the city won’t stop until the job is done.

“We’re going to use every tool in the toolbox to address our neighborhood conditions,” Williams said.

Philly, we hear you on the snowstorm and the cleanup. And there is a lot we are doing to get past this epic weather event.

In this update, Carlton Williams, Director of @phl_cgoffice, explains how crews are addressing snow removal in every corner and neighborhood across Philly. pic.twitter.com/Qh2aJp6F82— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) February 3, 2026

So far, city workers have spread 31,000 tons of salt, melted nearly 5 million pounds of snow and treated 85% of streets at least once, according to city officials.