School buses cancelled as Timmins and area recovers from winter storm

A week after a storm buried Timmins in 60 cm of snow, the big dig continues. City crews have cleared 319 loads from schools, but buses remain cancelled.

While schools are open, school buses were cancelled Monday in Timmins/Porcupine, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls and Ramore as the area is still digging out from last week’s massive snowfall.

Timmins public works reported it removed 319 loads of snow Sunday from school zones, including “areas around Ninth, Jade, Denise, and Lonergan.”

“Sidewalks were cleared around schools and on main arteries. Work was conducted in Schumacher and Dalton Road,” the city reported.

“Reminder that work is being done in Schumacher tomorrow. Residents are being asked to temporarily move their vehicles along Brundy, Croatia, Grant, Father Costello Drive, and Vipond. Parking is available at the McIntyre Arena.”

Cancelling the school buses aims to ensure that snow clearing work can proceed as efficiently as possible, the city said in Sunday’s update.

“We are also aware that some sidewalks have not yet been cleared. We recommend that parents, guardians and guardians check if the walk to school can be done safely. It remains at the parents’ discretion to keep their child at home if they feel that the travel cannot be done safely. In this case, please notify your child’s school of their absence.”

As the cleanup continues, city council will discuss the storm response at its meeting Tuesday. A motion from Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic includes an update on efforts so far, discussion of future plans and an estimate of how long the cleanup will take.