In keeping with past practice, I would like to provide you all with an update on our current status in fighting this storm.
We have received approx 7cm of wet snow to this hour. The snow has been mixed with rain off and on all day. There is a dry spell over us currently with another wave of snow expected later this evening which may bring us another cm or so of accumulation. The rain mixture has consolidated the accumulation to somewhere less than the measured 7cm, however, the residential roads are heavily rutted from traffic and need attention to prevent serious safety issues when the temperatures drop later tomorrow. The forecast low temperature tonight will be between 0 degrees C and minus 3 degrees C. The high temperature tomorrow will remain at minus 3 celcius and fall to minus 11 by evening. With these current conditions and forecast potential parameters in mind we are proceeding with the following plan;
ROADS;
Roads crews are completing the main arterials and collector roads. A contractor assisted plowout of the residential roads will commence at 4:00pm today. The residential plowout is expected to take approx 12 hours to complete. Roads crews will follow behind the plowing operation to apply traction materials to all areas requiring treatment. The Snow Angels Program will be triggered by the plowout action. Volunteers will be providing driveway windrow removal for qualified residents beginning early tomorrow morning.
SIDEWALKS AND CITY OWNED STEPS
Sidewalk crews have completed the high pedestrian traffic routes on the arterial, collector and bus routes. Clearing and sanding of all pedestrian cross walks and PXO’s will begin at 5:00pm tonight and continue through the night. This task should be complete by morning.
Remaining city sidewalks are currently slush covered. Clearing and sanding operations will re-commence at 5:00am tomorrow morning, (Thursday), once all additional accumulation has been realized and will continue around the clock until completion which is anticipated to be approx. Friday afternoon. Bus stops will be cleared and sanded simultaneously with that operation. All city owned steps have been cleared and treated with materials and will be cleared again as required should additional accumulation be realized later tonight.
FACILITIES;
All city owned facility parking lots, access roads and entrance ways have been cleared. Final touchups to those areas should be complete by 3:00pm. Additional service will be provided as conditions warrant. Staff