Winnipeggers’ Passion with Snow – and a Bit of Perspective!

Dec 14, 2015

Winnipeggers are passionate about snow and snow removal! I find these 6 key points help put parking bans and snow/ice removal into perspective:

1. Using human beings and machines to harness the forces of nature will ALWAYS be challenging.

2. Communicating parking bans requires BOTH the City and residents’ active participation.

3. The City’s detailed Snow Clearing Policy may or may not always align with individuals’ personal expectations.

4. Every single road and sidewalk in Winnipeg was kept open in 2014, the worst winter since 1898 (according to Environment Canada) for duration, cold temperatures, and record snowfalls. The City did not shut down access; conditions weren’t ideal, but the City did NOT shut down.

5. Winnipeg is one of the very few winter cities in North America that plows ALL roads and sidewalks:

Regional streets 748 kms
Collector streets/bus routes 712 kms
Residential streets 1,852 kms
Alleys/Backlanes 915 kms
Sidewalks 2,588 kms

6. Winnipeg’s Public Works Department was the 2008 recipient of the prestigious American Public Works Association’s Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award, recognizing best practices in snow/ice removal while minimizing environmental impacts.

Winnipeg’s Snow and Ice Control Policy provides one of the top snow and ice control programs in the country, providing services not offered in other cities such as clearing of front drive windrows and plowing of sidewalks.
While recognized with the APWA award in 2008, these practices continue to be reviewed and improved upon by the City of Winnipeg.

WHY POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND BANS?

To ensure the flow of movement for pedestrians, cyclists, and private/public vehicles
To facilitate the fast, safe movement of emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire and police).

I encourage you to read the simplified Parking Bans and Snow and Ice Removal pages on my website to better understand how Winnipeg keeps vehicles and people moving in winter conditions.

For a detailed overview, see the City of Winnipeg Snow & Ice Removal website

Twitter link: https://janicelukes.ca/?p=4149