'Almost impossible to use': city councillor calls for better sidewalk snow clearing
A city councillor wants snow plows to do a better job of clearing Winnipeg's sidewalks next winter.
St. Boniface councillor Matt Allard said the city's current policy to plow sidewalks to a "compacted snow surface" isn't good enough.
He said it causes issues in the spring during the thaw/melt cycle.
"There comes a time every year where they're just almost impossible to use in our weather," said Allard.
Allard has a motion before the city's public works committee calling for a "plow to pavement" pilot project during the next winter season.
He wants city officials to select one sidewalk per council ward for the trial.
"We can at least try plowing at least one sidewalk, per street, per ward," said Allard.
At the end of the trial, council would look at the results and decide on wider implementation across the city, if possible.
It's an idea that appeals to Debby McLeod, who has trouble navigating sidewalks in the winter.
"They're pretty much impassable. Wheelchair tires don't have much in the way of tread."
McLeod hopes this pilot project will get the green light from city council.
"I think that would be incredible. That's taking down a barrier," she said.
Allard said he has brought up the idea before, but was told by city administrators that many of Winnipeg's sidewalks are too broken up for that level of clearing.
But Allard said any city streets that have recently been rebuilt will also have new sidewalks.
"The sidewalk's good to go," he said.
The motion will be discussed at the next meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works on Feb. 7.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Whooping cough outbreak declared in Newfoundland
Health officials say there is an outbreak of whooping cough in eastern Newfoundland.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
NEW How Canadians can watch the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest
Europe’s top pop stars are out and about for the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Malmo, Sweden.