City has removed snow amounting to 24 Olympic-sized swimming pools and is still going

The City of Barrie said crews are continuing to clean up the dumping snow that has blanketed the region.

The City of Barrie is reminding the public that crews, while taking longer than usual due to the extreme weather this winter, are continuing to clean up the heaps of snow that Mother Nature has dumped on the region.

It says the Significant Weather Event that the City put into place on Dec. 28 is still in effect.

There are streets, the city says, that are still either narrowed or blocked with sidewalks and bike lanes experiencing the same issues. Lanes on roads that have a curb or a right-turn lane are also significantly impacted, the City says.

Crews and City officials are working to fully clear those roadways and walkways using snow-lifting methods and hauling operations. According to the City, crews have removed hundreds of truckloads of snow equaling 3,500 loads in total, which is the size of 24 Olympic size swimming pools.

But the City is facing several challenges including the road salt shortage, which is affecting municipalities all across the province.

The main focus now, the City says, is residential neighbourhoods and the smaller streets, laneways and sidewalks.

Officials say plows will continue to clear away slush and snow and any ice buildup will be taken care of in the days ahead.

The City is advising the public to take precautions on roads, bike lanes and sidewalks that could be icy and slippery, as the City has not been able to meet the winter maintenance standards it holds.

In the meantime, the City is reminding residents that on-street parking is not permitted overnight in the downtown. It is also suggesting residents clear spots at the end of their driveways for garbage, recycling or Christmas trees, rather than on top of a snowbank.