05 January 2017

City prepared for snow, stocked with salt- Residents urged to clear fresh snowfall early

City of Vancouver
News Release
January 5, 2017

  
With more snow forecast for tonight and through the weekend, public safety is the City's top priority. Snow-rain-freeze cycles over the last month have left many residential streets and sidewalks covered with ice, and with temperatures expected to remain well below seasonal levels in the coming weeks, we continue to deploy City resources at full capacity to prepare for more snow and ice.

“Our street crews, and an additional approximately 260 redeployed City staff, have been working 24/7 since the first snowfall in December to brine, salt and sand priority routes, and clear residual snow and ice, to maintain street safety,” says Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Over the last two days, we’ve made progress with putting down a mixture of sand and salt on priority side streets to maintain access to more than 100 hospitals, schools and community centres, and that work is now about 80 per cent complete.

“I understand the difficulties and frustrations this unusual winter weather has caused Vancouver residents. It’s been challenging for us, too. I want to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation, and for doing your part in keeping our city safe,” Robertson adds.

The City would like to confirm that it has not run out of road salt, and regular shipments of salt continue to arrive to help crews in their efforts to melt snow and ice from streets and sidewalks. There is ample salt supply for the City to prepare for the anticipated upcoming snowfall, and additional supplies of free salt for residential use are being delivered this afternoon to select fire halls.

The clearing of sidewalks by residents and businesses is a vital part of ensuring that the city is navigable by all people. While salt helps to break up ice and snow, it is not a replacement for snow removal. The City strongly recommends that in advance of the next anticipated snowfall, residents and businesses:

  • Shovel off any remaining ice or snow that is on the sidewalks or driveways from the December 31 snowfall;
  • Lay salt down on sidewalks and driveways prior to the snowfall. This will help to melt the ice and make it easier to remove;
  • Shovel new snow as soon as possible to prevent build up and melting into an ice crust. While residents have until 10 am until after a snowfall to shovel sidewalks in front of their property, getting out early before the morning commute will help ensure snow isn’t packed down, and will make it easier to remove;
  • Provide help to neighbours who cannot clear their own sidewalks, if you are able;
  • Wear proper winter footwear to guard against slippery sidewalks. Use main roads when possible as they tend to have less snow and ice than residential and side streets;
  • If you choose to drive, ensure your car has winter tires.

If you see an area that needs attention, please report it immediately through the City’s VanConnect app (Vancouver.ca/vanconnect) or by calling 3-1-1 so our crews can respond. The City is monitoring incoming requests to identify problem areas and dispatching crews to address those issues.

The City, in partnership with the Park Board and supported by staff and volunteers, continues to provide additional warm and welcoming space for anyone who needs to get out of the cold as this unusually cold and snowy winter weather continues. Five community locations will remain open overnight as warming centres for the foreseeable future including: West End, Creekside, Britannia, and Sunset community centres, as well as The Hall at 1739 Venables. All locations open at 9 p.m.

To date, there have been close to 1,800 visits to these temporary warming centres. Community centres and other public buildings are also available during their open hours as spaces to warm up.

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City of Vancouver                                                 
Corporate Communications                                           
604.871.6336                                                                  
media@vancouver.ca            

   

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