By Glenn Hicks

City crews turn attention to residential street snow clean up

Jan 4, 2018 | 10:58 AM

Most of us are getting back to work and that includes the city’s snow plow crews who are turning their New Year attention to non-high priority streets.

The city’s roadways manager Brent Kennedy said they hold off on their efforts during the holidays. The department understand the windrows that pile up can be an inconvenience, but ultimately the streets need to be cleared.

“We made it through the Christmas holidays without plowing most of the residential areas,” Kennedy told paNOW. ”We did some clean-up in certain areas but now we’re into full residential snow plowing.”

And that means there are responsibilities for motorists who need to move out of the way. Kennedy said their biggest challenge is the vehicle owners who aren’t complying with the local bylaw. Signage is put up on a block about to be plowed 12 hours in advance and parked vehicles should be removed in that time. Tickets are handed out to those who don’t. That includes folks who may be away for a few days.

“There is no recourse for them. We put up the signs and the vehicle owner is responsible for moving,” Kennedy said. “Vehicles are supposed to be moved within 48 hours anyway, they’re not supposed to be parked longer than that without moving.”

Missing pet

'She means the world to our family': Woman seeks help in finding missing pet parrot

12h ago

BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS

Semi flips outside P.A.; one of dozens of incidents on Sask. roads due to winter weather

12h ago

NO GO FOR BUSES

School bus routes outside P.A. canceled due to spring snowstorm

17h ago

The city has the authority to tow vehicles if they remain in the way.

Kennedy said East and West Hill residential streets are being tackled at the moment and crews are working around the garbage collection schedule.

Once the plowing is done, motorists who park on the street will have to contend with the piled up windrows and narrower streets. 

“I’ve seen people hire a Bobcat and come and clean up in front of their place and put the snow on their grass; we have no issues with that,” he said. “But don’t be shoveling it back on the street because we have a bylaw and you could be fined for doing that.”

Ultimately Kennedy said residents have to be patient and understand this is the reality in winter time.

“We’ve plowed snow in the city for many years and you know you’re going to get windrows along the curb.”

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow