As some of you are reading this and getting ready to call it a week, the Roads and Parking Services team is working on wrapping up another action-packed response to the latest winter weather event that just swept into the Nation’s Capital.
So let’s talk winter ops, shall we?
Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has lifted the Special Weather Statement for the Ottawa region. Snow began around noon yesterday and picked up throughout the afternoon, mixing with ice pellets and freezing drizzle. At times, snow was heavy and given this sudden increase, traveling conditions were slow and slippery. Winds also increased overnight causing blowing and drifting snow in open areas.
Snow and mixed precipitation continued until the late overnight hours, bringing between 15 to 20 centimeters of snow to certain parts of Ottawa.
Colder temperatures are expected overnight and for the next few days, creating icy and slippery conditions. Please use extreme caution if you are out walking, driving or cycling and adjust to the conditions of the transportation network.
Our Response
Crews began by clearing and treating sidewalks, priority roads and the winter cycling network. But the last-minute holiday rush mixed with this winter weather event caused for a messy afternoon commute across the city, which at times, slowed down our operations.
Overnight and into the early morning, our focus shifted to clearing residential streets and neighbourhoods. This morning, the dayshift picked up right where the nightshift left off and will continue this work throughout the day and into the early evening hours. Crews will also continue clearing and treating sidewalks, priority roads and the winter cycling network and clean up any problem spots such as bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian islands, corners and cul de sacs.
Strong wind gusts remain in today’s forecast and like last night, drifting snow is possible so crews may need to return to previously cleared and treated areas.
Resident Support is Required
- As our crews continue working in residential neighbourhoods today, we are asking everyone who can to please find off-street parking wherever possible. Keeping our roads clear from parked vehicles will help our operators work right up to the curb, opening up the roadway as much as possible.
- At this time there is no need to create a service request for routine-type work. All available resources and pieces of equipment have been deployed, and our efforts are most needed out in the community; service requests should only be created for emergencies.
- If today is your waste collection day, please place your bins in your driveway – away from snowbanks, sidewalks and roadways.
Next Steps
Roads and Parking Services will continue to monitor the transportation network and address any problem areas accordingly. Our supervisors will also continue monitoring the weather, as flurries and the risk of freezing drizzle are in the forecast. If required, crews are available and will be deployed to respond to the changing conditions. But unless the forecast changes significantly, please consider this your last operational update for this weather event.
It’s been a busy 24 hours! So if you see one of our operators working today, please be patient with them – they are taking time away from their family to help you safely get to yours.
