The first major blizzard of the season, expected to hit the area this weekend, could dump between 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) of snow in some areas, according to some forecasts.
That will translate into long hours for municipal public works crews clearing streets and roads of snow.
In both Martensville and Warman, crews will clear major arterial routes first; followed by school routes, collector streets and business districts. Residential streets will be cleared once the Priority 1 and 2 arterials and collectors are done.
Residents can help civic crews clear the streets more effectively in several ways, according to Warman Bylaw Officer Wade Eberle.
“Once the snow hits, it’s pretty important that residents observe the city’s 48-hour parking rule on streets, particularly the major arterials and collectors,” said Eberle. “If you have two cars and one is usually parked on the street in front of your house, take a few minutes and park it in your driveway when you leave for work with your main vehicle in the morning.
“Taking it off the street really helps get the snow cleared quickly and efficiently,” he added.
It is the responsibility of residents to dig their vehicles out if they get surrounded by windrows or snow ridges left behind by a grader.
The Warman snow removal bylaw states the main goal of the snow-clearing program is to ensure police, fire and ambulance services are able to respond to emergencies quickly. Another objective is to “reduce the hazards of icy conditions for motorists and pedestrians.”
Snow clearing begins as soon as a storm subsides enough to make the work effective.
“It is dangerous to initiate a snow-clearing program during a storm when visibilities are reduced,” states the Warman bylaw. “It is also ineffective to clear streets that are passable until it stops snowing, as the traffic, additional snow accumulation, and winds tend to nullify any efforts made. Typically, a major snow clearing program is not initiated until the snowfall has stopped.”
Eberle said residents are encouraged to not push snow from their driveways and sidewalks onto the street.
“The bylaw is pretty clear on that point,” he said. “Pushing snow onto the streets creates more snow for the grader to plough, which may result in larger ridges in your own driveway, as well as the driveways immediately adjacent.”
The Martensville snow management bylaw also prohibits residents and businesses from pushing snow onto streets. In addiiton, it prohibits stockpiling snow or debris in such a way that normal drainage of meltwater is obstructed.
Residents and businesses must place snow removed from their driveways onto their own private property.
Eberle said while most streets in Warman are wide enough to accommodate graders, there are some neighbourhoods in newer residential subdivisions that require additional measures.
“In some parts of the Rockwood and Southlands area that have very narrow streets, the city will post notices three or four days in advance of snow clearing to ensure the graders can get through,” he said.
The Warman snow removal bylaw and the Martensville snow management bylaws are posted on their respective city’s websites.