2009 News and Information
Snow Alert; Drive with Caution
27 January 2009Today’s weather forecasts include a 2 to 5 cm accumulation of snowfall in the City. Warmer air is expected later this afternoon, which will allow the freezing level to rise to about 300 meters. The snow is expected to turn to rain by tonight, with temperatures rising to 6 degrees on Wednesday, with mostly cloudy skies. Thursday’s forecast will be mostly cloudy with some rain showers.
Currently, there are no major problems to report. All available City snow plows have been deployed and are salting and sanding the primary routes.
As directed by Council policy 7013, City crews maintain 310 km of designated routes—all major thoroughfares and all bus routes—with up to 12 trucks, salting, sanding and plowing during snow storms. Community centre parking lots and other civic facilities, and sidewalks by major transit stops are then cleared. Secondary walkways are cleared after other tasks are completed, along with the first 50 feet of sideroads leading into main corridors are cleared or salted after the other routes are clear.
Commercial, industrial and multi-family property owners are required to clear the walkways in front of their properties by 10 a.m., except Sunday. School District 38 clears school property.
Richmond side streets are not part of the 310 km of designated snowclearing and salting routes.
The City strongly advises all drivers to proceed cautiously, ensure their cars are properly equipped with snow-rated tires, clear all windows and car lights from snow for visibility, and provide extra travel time to reach destinations safely, or take public transit. Pedestrians are also advised to be aware that small equipment may be on the sidewalks and to proceed cautiously.
Please telephone our 24-hour City Emergency Line at 604-270-8721 in the case of an emergency, such as icy intersections, broken water mains, sewer problems, downed trees on roads, traffic lights out, or other problems of this nature. Please contact Community Bylaws at 604-276-4345 for property clearing violations.
