Hey Ottawa, it has been a game-changer of a winter season for the Roads and Parking Services team so far and we know there’s more work ahead. While you’re eagerly counting down the days to spring or to the next season of Heated Rivalry, our crews and many valued partners have been busy keeping the city moving. Let’s raise a Canada Dry to them, get comfortable, and catch up on what we’ve been up to!
Forecast and conditions
A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of flurries are in the forecast today with wind becoming northwest at 20 kilometres an hour.
Mother Nature has sunshine in the forecast for days starting this weekend. Let’s soak in! We deserve it.
Our response
Supervisors continue to monitor conditions to ensure the transportation network remains in good condition. Following the snowfall earlier this week, crews have been clearing and treating sidewalks, priority roads, and the winter cycling network, while also cleaning up and treating residential streets as needed and addressing problem areas such as bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian islands, corners, and cul-de-sacs.
Snow removal operations
Snow removal operations are ongoing across the city. The focus remains on urban residential streets and select arterial and collector roads throughout the city, in addition to Business Improvement Areas, business districts and bike lanes where snowbanks have significantly increased and restricted the travel lanes.
Be on the lookout for ‘No Parking’ signs—this includes vehicles with residential parking permits. Failing to do so may result in vehicles being towed. Towed vehicles are relocated to an adjacent street where snow removal is not scheduled that day or has already been completed.
Since January 18, crews have removed more than 841,000 cubic meters of snow using over 711 semi-trailers and 2,900 dump trucks to haul it to our six snow storage facilities across the city. Ottawa could host the Winter Games solely on the snow we moved!
Next steps
Given this weekend's forecast of sunshine and clear skies, the Roads and Parking Services team is taking a well-deserved break to rest and recharge. Snow removal operations will be paused starting Friday night and will resume on Sunday night.
The team has been working nonstop for weeks, and I’d like to acknowledge the dedication and ongoing hard work of the entire winter operations team. Whether they are on the front lines responding to the storm or behind the scenes supporting the operations, it is a mighty team that ensures our transportation network is safe and passable for all users.
Unless the forecast changes significantly, please consider this your operations update for the remainder of the week and weekend.
Thank you for your ongoing support and be safe this weekend.
