WINNIPEG - December 21, 2008 – The public is advised that a major plowing operation will commence later today on main routes, bus routes and collector streets. To aid snow clearing efforts on major routes throughout the city, the Major Snowfall Parking Ban will be in effect at midnight tonight. This ban prohibits parking on any Snow Route between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.; cars parked in violation of this ban may be ticketed and towed. The ban will be in place until plowing is completed and the public will be notified when the Major Snowfall Parking Ban is lifted. Plowing operations are expected to be completed by Wednesday.

Sanding of streets is ongoing to improve traction on the roadways and will continue around-the-clock.

Plowing of sidewalks on main routes is also underway and will be followed by plowing of sidewalks on bus routes, collectors and residential streets.

Plowing of back lanes will begin at noon today and will continue until completed.

Snow hauling will occur tonight in the Downtown area to remove snow windrows on the boulevards. To assist this operation, temporary no parking signs will be placed at locations where snow is being removed. Motorists are requested to refrain from parking where temporary parking restrictions are in effect.

Public Works is monitoring the condition of residential streets to determine ongoing plowing requirements and plowing will focus on areas where drifting has become problematic.

"The City received 9.2 cm of snow from the recent storm which started Friday night and ended early today and a truck plow operation was initiated early Saturday morning to keep roadways passable during the snow event." says Bruce McPhail, the City’s Manager of Streets Maintenance. “However, the recent accumulations of snow combined with current drifting conditions and cold weather has resulted in the need for additional plowing to improve road conditions and graders and loaders will once again be used to cut ice ridges and restore the curb lanes.”

The cost of this plowing operation is approximately $1.8 million.

All public snow disposal sites are in operation.

Motorists are reminded to “drive to road conditions” and to use extreme caution when driving near any plowing or sanding equipment.

For up to date information about parking bans, citizens may call 775-SNOW (775-7669) or go to www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks  for more information. Individuals may also sign-up online for the City of Winnipeg’s e-mail notification process regarding parking bans.

Plowing operations are undertaken in accordance with the City Council-approved Snow Cleaning and Ice Control Policy, which can be found online at www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Snow_Clearing_Policy/default.asp.