Continuous Snowfall Makes Snow Removal Priority

Sunday, February 10, 2008 05:59 AM

Snowbanks build up on residential streets.

By Corrin Peet

Prince George, B.C. - With the continuous snowfall that Prince George has seen in the 2008 fiscal year, snow removal from the streets is one of the City’s priorities. 2007 saw 300 mm less than 2006 and it is not known yet whether 2008 will exceed both years.

Currently there are four snow removal crews that operate both day and night shifts.

Night shifts clear the main throughways that are in use for most of the day, such as downtown streets. First priority goes to the Downtown area and Civic Facilities parking lots. Second goes to the main bus routes, and third goes to residential streets.

“There is no priority on residential streets.” said Manager of Transportation Bill Gaal. “But if the crew started in the Westwood area, and couldn’t finish before the next snowfall, they would just pick up where they left off once that snowfall is finished.”

He did not mention how high the snow banks on residential streets are allowed to get to before they are required to be cleared away.

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Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 05:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: thereasonableman on February 10 2008 8:34 AM

I would say that removing snow banks is filler work for days when all the street clearing is done and no new snow is falling.

Posted by: gitterdun on February 10 2008 8:57 AM

Maybe they need to sub some of it out cause there are some places where you can't see if there is traffic.......the snow is pushed almost over the top of the stop sign.

I heard that they couldn't get water from the 2 or 3 closest hydraunts at a fire up the hart.......I don't know if it was too much snow around them or they didn't work??

Posted by: owl on February 10 2008 9:39 AM

As far as I know, much of the operation of snow removal is contracted out. I recall in past years that was the "excuse" for not getting snow cleared in a timely fashion. Those contractors were typically clearing commercial parking lots first.

As fr as the height of snow banks at residential intersection go, I never could understand why they allowed crews to pile it high there in the winter, while in the summer, owners could not put up sight obscuring fences and/or bushes.

If there is ever a time when you do not want to inch (or centimetre) out into traffic to see if ti is clear to go, it is in winter when the roads are slippery, especially at intersections.

The city is about convenience ... about cheap ... not about safety standards ....

Posted by: craftymom on February 10 2008 11:06 AM

My husband works for the City where snow removal is concerned and here is the skinny:

The City of Prince George puts outs a tender package for trucks and equipment in the early fall. During the first few snow falls where there is little accumulation, the City relies on its owns equipment/trucks and operators. Once the snow requires more time to remove, the contracted equipment and trucks are called. This is usually around Christmas time or early January. The City is still in charge of organizing crews and laying out the schedule for snow removal.

So although the equipment is contracted out, the City still has the final say as when and where the snow removal will take place. Currently, night time snow removal is done beteen midnight and 7 am as the City feels this is more than adequate time to have our streets cleared. Last year, night removal was done between 11pm - 7am and sometimes even as early as 10pm - 7am. This year the City is cutting costs...perhaps to make up for the cost of the flood?

Posted by: pglady on February 10 2008 11:46 AM

When a couple of the city crew was asked about the hydrants near the fire on the hart (Diamond and Jade Dr.)last week being covered in snow the reply was that "the firemen are just whiners..They could have got to them"!!!!!!

Posted by: ChrisAnnB on February 10 2008 12:34 PM

Amazing, pglady. I'll bet they'd feel differently if it was their homes at risk!

Posted by: diplomat on February 10 2008 1:10 PM

On the two occasions that I tried to attract the attention of the snow removal crew in a friendly manner I was 1) given the outstretched middle finger salute 2) treated verbally with disdain and sarcasm.

Some people lose any civility when they are in a *driver's seat* of a large and powerful piece of equipment.

Posted by: owl on February 10 2008 1:36 PM

The costs associated with the flood are supposed to be repayable by the province through their "disaster" or "emergency" funds.

However, it could very well be that priority was given to the flood situation from the point of view of available equipment.

Remember, at about the same time that they were building the River Road wall, they were not clearing the piles of snow in the centre of the streets in a timely fashion, so much so that the Citizen devotaed an editorial to the matter of the safety of the streets.

Time and time again, it is obvious that this city is NOT a winter city. They simply do not understand that those in charge of services in the winter provide them instead of crying poverty and whatever other excuses they can dream up.

Posted by: pglady on February 10 2008 5:56 PM

I heard today that the 1 fire hydrant that the hoses wer hooked to on the hart fire was aprox 400 meters away from the fire, while 1 at 300 meters did not work and the 1 only 120 feet from the fire that did work was not used even after the home owner was trying to tell hem it was there. I guess until it happens to you no one takes notice of it, the 2nd strike was it was not in the "UPSCALE" neighbourhoods where everything is cleared and maintained. This is sad..Just my 2 cents

Posted by: heidi1555 on February 10 2008 6:30 PM

Diplomat the trick is blowing them a kiss like I did the other week in a goofy way...i'm afraid to drive in bad conditions where my legs actually shake so I was more than grateful to see him out there. The trick is to make them smile before they get all defensive...lol.

:)

Posted by: Chester on February 10 2008 7:50 PM

My advice to pglady is ths: I suggest that if you are aware of a fire hydrant near your home, get out there and ensure it is kept visible and easy to find. Don't rely on the city crews if they can't keep up to the snow removal and don't rely on the fireman if they happen to be in a bit of a hurry to get to your emergency. Take some responsibility yourself and quit blaming everyone else. It's difficult enough to deal with these situations in the winter without the criticism of the public who seem to do more of the whining. Chester

Posted by: ChrisAnnB on February 10 2008 8:47 PM

"get out there and ensure it is kept visible and easy to find"

Good advice ... except how do we know the hydrant isn't another 'dud'? There's no way we (the average citizen) can check them out to see if they're in working condition. I know I don't own a wrench that size! ;)

Seems to me it should be one of the city's top priorities to keep the hydrants maintained ... and not just in the 'upscale' neighbourhoods! People who don't have alot of money to throw around deserve to live too!

Posted by: Runner46 on February 10 2008 9:28 PM

why the cheap shot at the types of neighbourhoods chrisanb?

Posted by: ChrisAnnB on February 10 2008 10:13 PM

Cheap shot? I'm not one to take cheap shots ... sorry if you misconstrued something I said.

Someone here merely suggested that snow removal might be a little better in the 'upscale' neighbourhoods and I expanded on that by saying we all should have the right to feel safe ... or something to that effect. Not sure where the 'cheap shot' comes in. :(

Posted by: gitterdun on February 11 2008 12:56 AM

I HOPE CHESTER LIVES ON MY STREET AND IS "out there and ensure it is kept visible and easy to find" FOR OUR FIRE HYDRANTS. ESPECIALLY AFTER THEY PLOW AND THERE IS ALL THOSE BIG CHUNKS OF ICE AND SNOW!

DON'T WE PAY TAXES FOR THIS.....FIRE HYDRANTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN TRIPS TO CHINA!

Posted by: thereasonableman on February 11 2008 4:25 AM

I think Heidi would get further with blowing them a kiss than diplomat would.

I bet he did a good job on that street.

;-)

Posted by: pglady on February 11 2008 8:19 AM

The bottom line here is that the hydrants did not work or were so covered in snow they could not see them, the fire department tried to do their job but were hampererd by the amount of snow around and in front of the hydrants. So complaining or not keep in mind the next hydrant to fail could be in front of your house and it won't matter if you have shoveled it out or not. The one that did not work (frozen) was as clean as could be all around it.

Posted by: heidi1555 on February 11 2008 2:02 PM

Well he was about to do my whole driveway until my husband came out and shook his fist at him and started swearing that he can barely make it up our hill....lol.. kidding of course but really a little more appreciation is nice for anybody to receive if they're out there trying to do their best.

Posted by: Chester on February 11 2008 10:25 PM

The city does a great job of trying to keep the fire hydrants properly serviced and operational. The reality is that water and freezing temperatures sometimes don't mix well. Sometimes valves freeze.

You may notice long pieces of wood, painted florescent red wired to the fire hydrants to help find them behind the piles of snow. Unfortunately, sometimes the boards get destroyed or removed and the little stubby hydrant is no longer visible from the street.

All I am suggesting is to work with the city and the fire department to do the best we can to help identify and maintain at least visibility of our fire hydrants. They are there for our protection and safety.

And yes gitterdun, I realize you pay taxes. And from your comments, it's everyone elses responsibility to look after the hydrants.

But for others who feel they may want to help out for the good of everyone in their neighborhood, a little would be appreciated. Thanks for being so considerate. Chester

Posted by: thereasonableman on February 12 2008 7:29 AM

Snow insulates, traps air inside. Stuff freezes less when it is covered in snow, as long as it's not wet snow.