City report recommends adding $3 million in equipment to keep up with sidewalk snow clearing
The City of Winnipeg has a plan to improve snow clearing on sidewalks, but it will cost more money.
A new report at city hall found none of the policy timelines for snow removal on sidewalks and paths were met this winter because of the record snowfall and shortage of equipment.
"I could see that there was a clear disconnect between our snow clearing policy with the city and what was actually being delivered," said Coun. Matt Allard.
As a result of the report, it recommends adding 15 new sidewalk snow clearing machines at a cost of $3,017,400.
"Services cost money. I'm okay with that," one Winnipegger said.
I think it's a fantastic idea. I don't think the city was doing a good job this winter," another person said.
However, not everyone likes the proposed idea.
Jasmine Wiens said she thinks the money should be spent elsewhere.
"There's more garbage; the garbage cans aren't emptied regularly. That bothers me more," she said.
Right now, most sidewalks are cleared by city staff. To help meet proper timelines, the report recommends 506 kilometres of sidewalk clearing be transferred to contractors.
Snow removal is currently done on 3,000 kilometres of sidewalks, bike paths and park pathways.
"I think this should be an increased level of service for Winnipeggers, if we go in this direction," said Allard.
The city is also looking at ways to beef up snow removal on streets and sidewalks done by private companies with fines and by reducing the size of some zones.
It is looking at applying penalties to contractors if work in a snow zone is not complete within 12 hours. Currently, fines kick in at 36 hours.
Another change will see the size of snow zones balanced out, reducing the number of kilometres in some to make it easier to get the operation done within the 12-hour period.
Snow route parking bans could also change. They currently run from December to February but could be changed to be in place from November to April to adapt to weather conditions.
The city’s infrastructure committee is set to debate the changes next week.
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.
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.
Prince Harry, Meghan arrive in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and meet with wounded soldiers
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans, among them Nigerian soldiers fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists.
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
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.
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.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.