WINNIPEG, MB - In response to an accumulation of approximately seven centimetres of snow this week, and to improve overall driving conditions, a major grader plowing operation will commence later today on the city's Priority 1 and Priority 2 streets which includes; main routes, bus routes and collector streets.
To aid snow clearing efforts on major routes, the Declared Parking Ban will be in effect at midnight tonight. This ban prohibits parking on any Snow Route between the hours of midnight and 7:00 a.m. Vehicles parked in violation of the Declared Parking Ban will receive a $100 ticket ($50 if paid early), and may be towed to the towing company’s compound. The ban will be in place until plowing is completed and the public will be notified when the Declared Parking Ban is lifted.
Plowing crews will also be addressing locations that are prone to drifting snow such as outlying areas.
"As we will have hundreds of pieces of equipment working to clear streets as quickly as possible over the next few days, we want to remind motorists to use extra caution when driving near plows and sanding trucks," said Ken Boyd, Manager of Streets Maintenance Division.
Plowing of back lanes will commence on Friday morning and will continue until completed.
Plowing of sidewalks on main routes is also underway and will be followed by plowing of sidewalks on bus routes, collectors and residential streets.
A snow hauling operation will start in the downtown on Sunday night and will expand to bridges, overpasses and underpasses to restore space for snow storage. Temporary no parking signs will be erected in areas as required to facilitate snow hauling operations.
Approximately 300 pieces of equipment will be used for this plowing operation.
All public snow disposal sites are open for public use. For locations, go to: winnipeg.ca/publicworks/SnowRemoval/SnowDisposalSites.asp.
Motorists are reminded to drive to road conditions and to use extreme caution when driving near any plowing or salting/sanding equipment.
Plowing operations commenced in accordance with the City Council-approved Snow Clearing and Ice Control Policy, which can be found online at: winnipeg.ca/publicworks/snow/snow-clearing-policy.stm.