Winnipeg crews plowing major streets after blizzard wallops city

A winter storm slammed southern Manitoba on Thursday, causing school closures and treacherous travel conditions. Jeff Keele reports.

The City of Winnipeg’s snow plowing crews are working to keep the streets clear in the wake of blizzard conditions that walloped the city.

According to the city, crews have been clearing main roads since about 1 a.m. on Thursday.

“Our crews are working hard to keep the roads passable,” Michael Cantor, manager of street maintenance with the city, said Thursday afternoon. “We continue to plow our streets, currently focusing on trouble spots on our regionals and collectors.”

Sidewalk and pathway clearing began at 7 a.m.

Cantor said when the wind dies down in the evening, a full plow of the city’s regional and collector streets, sidewalks and pathways will begin.

Residential street plowing will begin Sunday at 7 a.m., Cantor said, with crews also spreading sand to help prevent ice. The overnight winter parking ban will be in effect starting at 7 a.m., and will be in effect until Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. The zone schedule can be found online or by calling 311.

City disruptions

Due to the stormy weather, Winnipeg has cancelled Thursday garbage and recycling collection. It’s expected that those with Thursday service will have their garbage collected on Friday and those with Friday pick-up will have it collected on Saturday.

Cantor said plowing later Thursday will help ensure garbage pickup will resume.

The wintry conditions have also forced the closures of the Brady Road Resource Management Facility and all 4R Winnipeg Depots on Thursday.

The city is also reminding residents that the winter route parking ban is in effect. This means there is no parking between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on designated streets. Those who violate the ban may be ticketed and towed. The ban will be lifted when the residential route parking ban takes effect Sunday, and return when it ends Tuesday.

While conditions have improved compared to Thursday morning, Cantor is advising residents to limit their driving Thursday.

“Fewer vehicles on the road reduces collisions and frees up emergency routes,” he said. “Staying off the roads helps crews reach critical calls faster, and it just keeps you safe from becoming stranded or injured or injured in poor conditions.”