Winnipeg, MB - In response to heavy accumulations of snow and high winds, City crews have been working around-the-clock to improve road conditions. City-wide plowing operations will be expanded starting tonight on main routes, bus routes and collector to ensure streets are clear and drivable.
To facilitate snow clearing on major routes, a Declared Snow Route Parking Ban will be in effect starting tonight at midnight (Friday, December 18 at 12:00 a.m.).
The Declared Snow Route Parking Ban extends the Annual Snow Route Parking Ban by two hours, prohibiting parking on any designated snow route between midnight and 7:00 a.m.
Snow clearing and sanding operations include:
Priority 1 streets (regional) - Snow clearing will continue today on main routes. Sand and salt are also being applied to improve driving traction. Plowing operations will be expanded tonight and will continue through to completion.
Priority 2 street (collector/bus routes) - Sand and salt are being applied to the roadway to improve driving traction. Expanded snow clearing operations will begin on this network, when Priority 1 operations are complete.
Priority 3 streets (residential) - Crews will be sanding P3 streets where required. Upon completion of the P1 and P2 network plowing operation, a Residential Parking Ban will be called commencing Saturday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m.. The residential street plowing schedule will be announced Friday.
Priority 1, 2 and 3 sidewalks - A full sidewalk plowing operation of the P1, P2 and P3 sidewalk network is underway.
Back lanes - Lane clearing started this morning at 7:00 a.m., and will continue day-time only until completed.
The cost of a full city-wide snow clearing operation, including a residential street snow clearing operation, is approximately $5 million.
For more information about the Declared Snow Route Parking Ban, check knowyourzone.winnipeg.ca or contact 311, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone at 311, or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca.
The Declared Snow Route Parking Ban will be in place until snow clearing is completed and the public will be notified when the ban is lifted. At such time, the Annual Snow Route Parking Ban will continue to be in effect from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Citizens are encouraged to check their streets for snow route signs, or if unsure, to call 311 or use the online Address Lookup Tool.
Snow routes are clearly marked with signs like these:
Over 400 pieces of heavy equipment will be used for this expanded snow clearing operation so motorists are urged to drive to road conditions, and to use extreme caution when driving near any snow clearing equipment or sanding trucks.
Parking ban notification
The City offers free email and Twitter notifications which advise subscribers when a parking ban goes into effect. To sign up for notifications, or for more information about all winter parking bans visit knowyourzone.winnipeg.ca or contact 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca