City plans major snow clearing operation

WINNIPEG - December 31, 2004

The City is undertaking major snow clearing operations in the wake of yesterday’s snowstorm, which dumped more than 26 cm. of snow on Winnipeg.

Truck plow and sanders worked throughout the night on Priority I (Regional) and Priority II (Collector) streets to keep these major routes open to vehicular traffic and Winnipeg Transit.

“Final truck plowing of Priority I and II routes will be complete around 4 pm.,” says Bruce McPhail, manager of streets maintenance. McPhail says the truck plows and a number of front-end loaders will then be dispatched to Priority III (Residential) streets.

McPhail says the truck plows and loaders will be opening up single lanes only on the residentials and windrows (snow banks) left on front driveways will not be cleared at this time.

“We’re trying to open up the residential streets as much as possible, and as quickly as possible for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day,” says McPhail.

Major plowing of Priority I and II streets using graders and front end loaders is scheduled to begin Saturday, January 1st. at 11pm. The Major Snowfall Parking Ban will be in effect at midnight tomorrow.

This ban prohibits parking on all Snow Routes between midnight and 6 am. Vehicles parked on Snow Routes during the prohibited times are subject to being ticketed and towed at the owners expense. The Major Snowfall Parking Ban will remain in effect until 6 am Monday morning, January 3.