Roads and Fleet Manager says it’s business as usual for snow removal crews

City crews are ready for another winter season, awaiting the first major snowfall.

Manager of Roads and Fleet, Jordan Wiseman told MyPGNow.com they are eagerly awaiting the first major dump from Old Man Winter.

“We are fully stocked with traction material and fluorides. With the temperature dropping below zero, we are utilizing a little bit of brine. It will be business as usual once we get our first significant snowfall.”

Wiseman added snow removal operations usual consists of 60 to 65 people mostly made up of city staff with some contractors mixed in.

“We can see anywhere between 20 loader operators or 10 to 11 contracted wheel loaders along with four to five graders.”

“Double-shifting those, there would be another ten operators and potentially you are adding another 30 to 40 contractors through a 24-hour period.”

Parking restrictions are in place from now until April 15 of each year to help with snow and ice control operations:

• Priority Ones and the Hospital District – On-street parking is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Downtown – On-street parking is prohibited from 12 a.m. to 7 a.m.
• Residential areas – On-street parking is prohibited from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking on the side of the street with odd house numbers is permitted from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. unless otherwise posted.

Illegally parked vehicles are subject to a $50 ticket per offence and/or may be towed.

When at least 7.5 centimetres of snow falls over a span of 24 hours we get what the City calls a “snow event”. If a snow event happens, the city mobilizes its fleet (plus any contracted equipment) for action once the snow finally stops.

• Priority 1 (red) and Priority 2 (green) routes are cleared within 48 hours after snowfall ends if at least 7.5 centimetres of accumulates over 24 hours.
• Priority 3 (grey) routes are cleared within 72 hours after Priority 1 (red) and Priority 2 (green) routes are finished.

Earlier this year, city council made the decision to reduce snow removal costs decreasing service levels for priority three routes during STAT Holidays.