Winnipeg, MB - City of Winnipeg crews will begin the annual spring cleanup of streets, sidewalks and back lanes this Sunday night, April 12. The operation is expected to take five weeks to complete.
Sweeping crews will initially focus on the downtown area, regional streets, bridges and overpasses. Sidewalks on main routes, bus routes and collector streets will be targeted first.
Beginning April 19, crews will also be busy conducting spring cleanup and litter collection in parks and on boulevards. Boulevard cleanup will focus first on boulevards and centre medians along major routes. Cleanup of boulevards in residential areas is limited to areas where there is excessive accumulation of sand (two full wheelbarrows or more).
“Each year City crews clean up more than 45,000 tonnes of debris that accumulated over the winter months,” said Jim Berezowsky, Manager of the Streets Maintenance. “We appreciate citizens’ cooperation during this major operation.”
The $4.5 million spring cleanup operation involves over 200 pieces of equipment and approximately 500 staff. Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution around heavy equipment operating throughout the city over the coming weeks.
Avoid a ticket and tow
To assist in efficient street cleaning operations, temporary “no parking” signs will be placed on some streets to restrict on-street parking during scheduled cleaning times. When these signs are in place, motorists are encouraged to find alternate parking during the posted times to avoid being ticketed or towed.
How can you help?
Citizens are urged not to rake yard waste material (e.g. grass clippings, leaves) or other debris onto streets as this can plug drains and cause ponding problems as well as increase your risk of basement flooding.
The seasonal yard waste collection program began on April 6. Yard waste is collected at the curb once every two weeks, on the same collection day as recycling and garbage. Residents can find out their collection day by:
- downloading the free My Waste app at winnipeg.ca/mywaste
- visiting City of Winnipeg - Recycling, Garbage and Yard Waste Collection Days for a printable calendar
- phoning 311
More information on the curbside yard waste collection program is at City of Winnipeg - Yard waste collection.