Parking ban continues until Wed., Feb. 13, 2019

The snow event declared yesterday will continue to be in effect until 11:59 p.m., Wed., Feb. 13, 2019 in order to facilitate continued snow clearing efforts. Parking on the street hampers snow clearing operations and residents are reminded that they must remove cars from streets or risk being ticketed and towed. Overnight parking exemptions will not be permitted. Under the city’s traffic and parking bylaw, parking is prohibited on all streets at any time a snow event is declared until it is cancelled. Snow events are declared when the city anticipates a significant amount of snow to accumulate.

The main roads and bus routes will continue to be plowed and salted throughout today (Feb. 12). Currently, staff have 11 plows/salters on the road as well as three snow loaders to maintain regional and city arterial roads, bus routes and subdivision collector roads. Snow blowers are scheduled to be making their way into cul-de-sacs early this afternoon.

Regional roads and main arteries will remain a priority at all times. During extended storm events such as the one we are experiencing now, priority routes may require multiple passes before moving into secondary area for clearing. When conditions permit, staff will move into the residential areas for clearing. 

Clearing and salting begins on uptown and commuter trails with a minimum of 5 cm of snowfall, although salting often starts before, as conditions warrant. Staff have eight plows out on sidewalks and one truck clearing all city facility parking lots which have been cleared and salted as of this morning. The following priority trails are cleared first as they connect people to major transportation networks: Spurline Trail, Iron Horse Trail and Laurel Trail. Once staff  have cleared the priority network of commuting routes, other city-cleared sidewalks, trail links and park pathways are cleared. As with roads, the main arteries will be a priority and may require multiple passes before moving into secondary areas for clearing during extended snow events such as this one.

Due to the snow removal activities of different property owners and contractors, conditions on trails and walkways can change quickly. Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to be cautious of changing surface conditions and to leave extra time for travelling as needed.

Ideally, if residents can avoid roads, trails and walkways during a storm event as much as reasonably possible, this will give city staff the time needed to complete clearance safely in order to get the areas opened up for the public as soon as possible. Residents are reminded to not block sidewalks that are maintained by the city and to please not deposit snow onto city sidewalks and roadways.  

More information on snow removal efforts can be found at waterloo.ca/snow. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the service alert news feed or follow the city on Twitter or Facebook to determine if a parking ban has been declared. 

As a reminder to residents:

• Please be patient and give the snow plows room as you drive near them.
• As per the city’s by-law, please do not shovel the snow from your driveway onto the road. This can create unsafe driving conditions.
• Please clear snow from around hydrants on your property to assist with a faster response time in case of emergency.
• Ensure that intake and exhaust vents for your furnace are clear of snow to reduce carbon monoxide build-up.

Media contact:
Janice Works
Manager, Communications
519-747-8731
janice.works@waterloo.ca