Mayor Michael Bloomberg says despite heavy snow fall and continuing removal efforts, the city is open for business today.

The mayor said that after an overnight effort, Department of Sanitation workers have cleared out the city’s major streets and highways. He also announced that on Monday schools will be open and alternate-side parking will be suspended.

The overnight storm deposited 9.5 inches of snow in the Bronx, 10.9 inches in Central Park, 14.2 inches at John F. Kennedy International Airport and 8.8 inches at LaGuardia Airport.

The DOS expects another 2,500 workers to man 365 salt spreaders, 1,500 plows and many shovels to clear secondary streets, bus stops and crosswalks for the Monday morning rush and school commutes.

“During the evening, we will continue to plow streets and we’ll be out taking care of the schools,” said DOS Commissioner John Doherty. “That will be a primary effort tonight on the night shift, to make sure all the buses and the parents who are driving their children to school can get to the schools and that teachers all have areas to park if they come in by car.”

New Yorkers who are shoveling out their on driveways today are advised to:
• dress warmly and protect the nose, ears, hands and feet.
• stretch the arms and leg muscles to avoid straining them.
• use a shovel with a small blade to avoid any strain to the back.
• scoop the snow in a forward motion.

Garbage and recycling collection have been postponed until Tuesday.

Local drivers are warned to take caution today, as the city’s roads are still slick and slippery.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has said its snow equipment are keeping 220 miles of outdoor tracks and third rails clear of snow and ice and all weekend track work has been suspended.

Delays are affecting all bus and subway service.

Long Island Rail Road service is experiencing limited service and two-hour delays and Amtrak says that trains are running on reduced schedules.

Since last night, about 800 flights were canceled at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty Airports, according to the Port Authority.

A Port Authority spokesperson said local airport runways are clear and conditions are safe for takeoff, but the airlines have chosen to cancel most flights leaving the area.

The agency is urging travelers to check with their airlines before heading out.

(Source: NY1)