Refreeze danger: Black ice, ice-covered roads remain a concern in Philadelphia

Friday, December 18, 2020
Black ice, ice-covered roads remain a concern in Philadelphia
The storm may be long gone, but the ice is staying in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Drivers were advised to go slow Friday due to the risk of melted snow refreezing on the street with black ice may be the reason for at least one crash in Northeast Philadelphia.

Ice and snow-covered 22nd and Ritner streets in South Philadelphia before daybreak.

There were also icy conditions at 5th and Fitzgerald streets.

Over the next few days, we will see the temperatures during the day go up enough to accomplish some melting, but at night we go back to below freezing. This means anything wet during the day can turn into black ice at night.

Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams says there are issues with access to small streets, but there haven't been very many 311 complaints.

As of December 17, 311 has only recorded 25 salting requests and 12 shoveling requests.

"We're encouraging residents to call 311 so we can address those issues. We'll be working throughout the entire weekend and throughout the evenings to address those types of complaints," said Williams.

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In the mean time, slow down.

"I've seen so many accidents people they can't strip and they slide right through the stop signs.. slide into the parked cars," says Sharon O'Mara.

You will likely see better conditions along more traveled roads like South Broad Street, but there's still ice.

In Northeast Philadelphia, a car flipped over on Woodhaven Road, right off Roosevelt Boulevard.

Refreezing will be a problem for morning commuters and may have caused a crash on the Roosevelt Boulevard.

The driver was able to walk away without injury.

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, but there were icy conditions on the road nearby.