WINNIPEG - JANUARY 19, 2005 - To aid snow-clearing efforts on major routes throughout the city, the Major Snowfall Parking Ban will be in effect at midnight tonight. The ban prohibits parking between midnight and 06:00 a.m., on all streets signed as Snow Routes. The ban will be lifted at 06:01 a.m. tomorrow morning.

The plowing operation, utilizing graders and front-end loaders is geared to cutting ice ridges and widening curb lanes on Priority I (Regional) streets and Priority II (Collector) streets. Plowing is expected to be complete by Friday morning.

Stan Siu, acting manager of street maintenance, says "Clearing of Priority I and Priority II sidewalks is also underway, while plowing of back lanes will be limited to drifted areas only."

Siu says with additional snow predicted today and tomorrow the condition of back lanes will be re-assessed on Friday.

Crews involved in snow hauling operations and removing high piles from intersections will resume operations Sunday night.

Sanding trucks will continue to work around the clock and operations to clear snow from fire hydrants will continue over the weekend.