City crews, bolstered by additional contracted forces, made good headway on local roads over the weekend. I noticed the crews made some major progress in the north end of the Ivy Lake area, 101 Street in Swanavon was done and they should be mostly through the Countryside neighbourhood.
The staff have picked up where they left off before the big weekend snow fall, so if your neighbourhood hadn't been done before then it should be one of the first to have some attention now. - the flip side to that is of course that if you were done before the big snow fall (like my neighbourhood) then you'll be a little further down the list.
Today they will complete Countryside North and Signature Falls and then move on into the Summit, Mountview and Mission Heights areas.
Of course not everyone has seen an improvement yet and I know thats frustrating but we are on our way. We have a Public Works committee meeting this Tuesday and I'm going to formally ask staff to do a "post-mortem" review of our systems and the response this this event to see what we might be able to learn from it.
Media Release
January 24, 2011
Snow Removal Efforts Move Into New Neighbourhoods Today
Weekend snow removal efforts saw major inroads into the backlog resulting from the mid-January record snowfall.
Today, crews will complete Countryside North and Signature Falls and move into the Summit, Mountview and Mission Heights areas.
“The lack of snow in the forecast and milder conditions are a bonus right now,” says Transportation Services Manager Robert Carroll.
The addition of contractor equipment has doubled City of Grande Prairie forces to tackle the accumulation of snow.
“We thank everyone who has co-operated by moving their vehicles off the streets and understand that those people who have not seen a plough are anxious to see their streets ploughed,” Carroll says.
The milder conditions have helped reduce the size of windrows, reducing safety issues.
“We appreciate the many people who have called or sent messages to us asking us to address this issue,” Mayor Bill Given says. “It is regrettable that people have been stuck and are inconvenienced by our extreme weather earlier this month. This remains our top priority and crews will continue to work around the clock until we are caught up.”
Showing posts with label Snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snow. Show all posts
Monday, January 24, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Snow Removal Response
It's no surprise there've been lots of questions about how the City is addressing the massive amount of snow we received over the weekend. Here's the answers (Please take some time to read the fact sheet at the bottom)
Media Release
January 19, 2011
City Adjusts Snow Removal Plans To Tackle Latest Snowfall
The City of Grande Prairie has amended its regular ploughing practices to step up removal of the record snowfall from last weekend.
As neighbourhoods streets are addressed, residents may notice adjusted levels of service due to the need to expedite snow removal operations. For example, residents could be required to remove ploughed snow from the end of their driveways. As well, in some neighbourhoods snow will be stored in locations not typically used such as sidewalks.
“Cars parked on roadways makes snow removal impossible as equipment cannot fit between vehicles and windrows,” says Robert Carroll, Transportation Services Manager. “This means some streets may not receive snow removal service until the vehicles are removed.
“Snow clearing in driveways and storing the snow in windrows constitute a high level of service and this needs to be relaxed to speed up operations. This adjusted snow removal measure means that the same area can be covered with less staff, resulting in more crews working simultaneously.”
A second measure being implemented is a relaxation of the City’s Noise Bylaw which does not allow snow removal operations after 10 p.m. on Priority 2 routes.
“This Bylaw is in place to enable our citizens to enjoy quiet in the later hours of the evening,” says Mayor Bill Given. “Due to our current situation, it is necessary to speed up the removal of snow from neighbourhoods.”
Sunday’s 20-centimetre snowfall eclipsed a 60-year record. Crews worked overtime throughout the weekend to combat the accumulation.
“These temporary steps will allow our crews in carrying out their work,” says Mayor Given. “Addressing this issue is the top priority for Council and Administration and we applaud crews for their efforts to date. Residents will be informed daily of progress.”
Crews are working in three eight-hour shifts, augmented by contracted equipment seven days a week as long as required. The City invests about $6 million annually in snow ploughing and ice control.
-30-
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Mayor Bill Given
780.538.0310
bgiven@cityofgp.com
City of Grande Prairie Snow Removal Fact Sheet – January 19, 2011
• Crews worked overtime throughout the weekend to combat the record snowfall. These forces were ramped up with contractor equipment on Priority 1 roads.
Priorities
The City’s Snow Removal Policy calls for Priority 1 & 2 routes to be ploughed first. These include:
Priority 1 – Major Arterial – 100 St, 84 Ave, 68 Ave, Resources Rd, Hwy 40 - Wapiti Road, etc. Priority 2 – Transit Bus Routes and Major Collector Roadways; Crystal Lake Drive, Mission Heights Drive, Poplar Drive, Royal Oaks Drive, etc.
• The City has advised residents to remove ALL vehicles from these Permanent Snow Routes (Priority 1 and Priority 2) immediately.
• City Crews are presently working on all of our Bus Routes and vehicles parked on these routes are a hazard and make the clearing of snow very slow and difficult or impossible.
Equipment
• The City is employing six graders, four plough trucks (dump trucks with either plough on the front or under the belly), five front-end loaders with angle blades, five City dump trucks, four contracted dump trucks and one snow blower for clearing windrows.
• The City has secured 12 additional pieces of heavy equipment – six graders and six front end loaders – to supplement the fleet to expedite snow removal operations. Additional trucks have been hired to assist snow hauling operations.
Changes
• Typically, residential streets are ploughed with driveways being cleared and the snow piles being stored in windrows or on rights of way.
• Residents may need to assist by removing ploughed snow from the ends of their driveways.
• A temporary relaxation of the Noise Bylaw will allow snow clearing operations to continue past 10 p.m. on Priority 2 routes.
Background
• The City’s total budget for snow ploughing and ice control is about $6 million.
• There are 130 kilometres of Priority 1 and 2 roads and 180 kilometres of residential streets to clear for 310 kilometres total.
• Up to 30,000 truckloads of snow must be hauled to the snow dump to remove the accumulation to date. By comparison in the winter of 2006-2007 (a record snowfall year), 75,000 truckloads were hauled away between Oct. 27 and April 2007.
• In average conditions, it takes up to six weeks to do a complete cycle of snow removal in the City with only municipal forces.
Media Release
January 19, 2011
City Adjusts Snow Removal Plans To Tackle Latest Snowfall
The City of Grande Prairie has amended its regular ploughing practices to step up removal of the record snowfall from last weekend.
As neighbourhoods streets are addressed, residents may notice adjusted levels of service due to the need to expedite snow removal operations. For example, residents could be required to remove ploughed snow from the end of their driveways. As well, in some neighbourhoods snow will be stored in locations not typically used such as sidewalks.
“Cars parked on roadways makes snow removal impossible as equipment cannot fit between vehicles and windrows,” says Robert Carroll, Transportation Services Manager. “This means some streets may not receive snow removal service until the vehicles are removed.
“Snow clearing in driveways and storing the snow in windrows constitute a high level of service and this needs to be relaxed to speed up operations. This adjusted snow removal measure means that the same area can be covered with less staff, resulting in more crews working simultaneously.”
A second measure being implemented is a relaxation of the City’s Noise Bylaw which does not allow snow removal operations after 10 p.m. on Priority 2 routes.
“This Bylaw is in place to enable our citizens to enjoy quiet in the later hours of the evening,” says Mayor Bill Given. “Due to our current situation, it is necessary to speed up the removal of snow from neighbourhoods.”
Sunday’s 20-centimetre snowfall eclipsed a 60-year record. Crews worked overtime throughout the weekend to combat the accumulation.
“These temporary steps will allow our crews in carrying out their work,” says Mayor Given. “Addressing this issue is the top priority for Council and Administration and we applaud crews for their efforts to date. Residents will be informed daily of progress.”
Crews are working in three eight-hour shifts, augmented by contracted equipment seven days a week as long as required. The City invests about $6 million annually in snow ploughing and ice control.
-30-
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Mayor Bill Given
780.538.0310
bgiven@cityofgp.com
City of Grande Prairie Snow Removal Fact Sheet – January 19, 2011
• Crews worked overtime throughout the weekend to combat the record snowfall. These forces were ramped up with contractor equipment on Priority 1 roads.
Priorities
The City’s Snow Removal Policy calls for Priority 1 & 2 routes to be ploughed first. These include:
Priority 1 – Major Arterial – 100 St, 84 Ave, 68 Ave, Resources Rd, Hwy 40 - Wapiti Road, etc. Priority 2 – Transit Bus Routes and Major Collector Roadways; Crystal Lake Drive, Mission Heights Drive, Poplar Drive, Royal Oaks Drive, etc.
• The City has advised residents to remove ALL vehicles from these Permanent Snow Routes (Priority 1 and Priority 2) immediately.
• City Crews are presently working on all of our Bus Routes and vehicles parked on these routes are a hazard and make the clearing of snow very slow and difficult or impossible.
Equipment
• The City is employing six graders, four plough trucks (dump trucks with either plough on the front or under the belly), five front-end loaders with angle blades, five City dump trucks, four contracted dump trucks and one snow blower for clearing windrows.
• The City has secured 12 additional pieces of heavy equipment – six graders and six front end loaders – to supplement the fleet to expedite snow removal operations. Additional trucks have been hired to assist snow hauling operations.
Changes
• Typically, residential streets are ploughed with driveways being cleared and the snow piles being stored in windrows or on rights of way.
• Residents may need to assist by removing ploughed snow from the ends of their driveways.
• A temporary relaxation of the Noise Bylaw will allow snow clearing operations to continue past 10 p.m. on Priority 2 routes.
Background
• The City’s total budget for snow ploughing and ice control is about $6 million.
• There are 130 kilometres of Priority 1 and 2 roads and 180 kilometres of residential streets to clear for 310 kilometres total.
• Up to 30,000 truckloads of snow must be hauled to the snow dump to remove the accumulation to date. By comparison in the winter of 2006-2007 (a record snowfall year), 75,000 truckloads were hauled away between Oct. 27 and April 2007.
• In average conditions, it takes up to six weeks to do a complete cycle of snow removal in the City with only municipal forces.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Responding to a Concern About Snow Removal
I received a note on Facebook yesterday, my friend wanted to bring to my attention a discussion that was going on in a group called "Better Snow Removal for Grande Prairie".I didn't jump into the conversation on the group but I did choose to contact one of the people directly. After getting some more details from her about what area of the city she lived in I sent along this response. I think it might answer questions other people in the city might be asking so I thought I'd share it here:
Thanks for the info!
I'll pass on the concern about the slippery intersection to see if we can get a little extra ice control there.
Just so you know when we talk about bus routes we're talking about the streets that city transit buses go on. We make these streets our second highest priority.
The first priority after a snow fall are the "Major Arterial" roads like 100 St, 84 Ave, 68 Ave, Resources Rd, Hwy 40 - Wapiti Road, etc. These are obviously the streets that have to carry the most traffic in the city.
After all the streets that fall in to the group above are done we move on to Priority 2 streets. This is where the city Transit Bus Routes are and also includes "Major Collector" Roadways that may or may not be part of a bus route; Crystal Lake Drive, Mission Heights Drive, Poplar Drive, Royal Oaks Drive, etc.
The idea is that if we can get the #1 & #2 streets cleaned quickly the majority of traffic can move pretty well through the city and important for emergency services like the police, fire and ambulances can get where they need to go.
After all that has been taken care of we move on to the residential roads as our #3 priority. This would include your street. Here, the City provides dedicated Snow and Ice Control on local roads & lanes in residential areas. Weekday mornings in North side Neighbourhoods (North of 100 Ave) and weekday afternoons in Southside Neighbourhoods (South of 100 Ave.)
Over all, our budget for snow removal is just over $4 million dollars per year ($4.035m in '09 to be exact and slightly more in '10). If we don't spend all the money in one year we put it in the bank and save it to help out in years where there is excessive snow and the budgeted amount won't cover the added costs.
You can find more information about what neighbourhoods the city crews are working on each day here:
http://www.cityofgp.com/citygov/dept/trans/worknotices/default.htm
(Check out the "Getting to Your Street" part)
Also, I had a chance to read the post on the group wall and you said "I would really like to see snow removal be paid for out of the City's pcket, not mine..."
It's important to remember that property taxes, like the ones you pay on your home, are how the city gets the majority of it's budget and it pays for much more than the bus you see in front of your house and the garbage collection.
Whenever council chooses to improve a service or build something new it will be reflected in your taxes. We try to be as efficient as we can when we spend your dollars but every police officer we add, or extra snow removal crew
we put on duty, or new recreation program we offer has to be paid for.
Our challenge is trying to balance having affordable taxes with providing the services that people want in our community. It's not always easy.
If you have any other thoughts or questions feel free to give me a call (780-814-0518, my cell) or send me a note here on Facebook.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Snow Removal Flyer
Now that we've got a reasonable amount of snow on the ground it's pretty timely that the city is passing on information about our snow removal program. It's big job cleaning city streets; the roads classified at the Priority 1 & 2 levels (check the map below) equal about 133KM of work. Keeping in mind that over much of that distance crews have to work around curbs, traffic, homes and parked cars it's no wonder it's time consuming job.
The information below will be circulated as a flyer to every household in GP through Canada Post. The goal of passing on the info to help the public understand how the city prioritizes which streets get cleaned first and how the public can help make the operation more effective by complying with some of the bylaws in place.
This flyer is intended to provide City residents information regarding snow removal for the 2009/2010 season and answers some commonly asked questions regarding Snow Removal and Ice Control.
• What Are the Priorities for Snow Plowing on City streets?
After a major snowfall, snow is removed on a priority basis as follows:
Priority 1 - Major Arterials; 100 St, 84 Ave, 68 Ave, Resources Rd, Hwy 40 - Wapiti Road, etc.
Priority 2 - Transit Bus Routes and Major Collector Roadways; Crystal Lake Drive, Mission Heights Drive, Poplar Drive, Royal Oaks Drive, etc.
Priority 3 - Local Roads & Lanes (residential areas) – The City provides dedicated Snow and Ice Control on local roads & lanes in residential areas. Weekday mornings in North side Neighbourhoods (North of 100 Ave) and weekday afternoons in Southside Neighbourhoods (South of 100 Ave.)
Check the Residential Snow and Ice Control webpage at www.cityofgp.com/citygov/dept/trans/worknotices/ for more information on the program.
• Where Does the Snow Go?
Priority 1 and 2 routes - Snow will normally be plowed to the middle of the road and hauled to the City Snow Dump or will be pushed over the curb and onto the City-owned boulevards.
The information below will be circulated as a flyer to every household in GP through Canada Post. The goal of passing on the info to help the public understand how the city prioritizes which streets get cleaned first and how the public can help make the operation more effective by complying with some of the bylaws in place.
2009/2010 SNOW REMOVAL
AND ICE CONTROL PROGRAM
This flyer is intended to provide City residents information regarding snow removal for the 2009/2010 season and answers some commonly asked questions regarding Snow Removal and Ice Control.
• What Are the Priorities for Snow Plowing on City streets?
After a major snowfall, snow is removed on a priority basis as follows:
Priority 1 - Major Arterials; 100 St, 84 Ave, 68 Ave, Resources Rd, Hwy 40 - Wapiti Road, etc.
Priority 2 - Transit Bus Routes and Major Collector Roadways; Crystal Lake Drive, Mission Heights Drive, Poplar Drive, Royal Oaks Drive, etc.
Priority 3 - Local Roads & Lanes (residential areas) – The City provides dedicated Snow and Ice Control on local roads & lanes in residential areas. Weekday mornings in North side Neighbourhoods (North of 100 Ave) and weekday afternoons in Southside Neighbourhoods (South of 100 Ave.)
Check the Residential Snow and Ice Control webpage at www.cityofgp.com/citygov/dept/trans/worknotices/ for more information on the program.
• Where Does the Snow Go?
Priority 1 and 2 routes - Snow will normally be plowed to the middle of the road and hauled to the City Snow Dump or will be pushed over the curb and onto the City-owned boulevards.
[Note from Bill: Once the city picks up snow it is classified as a contaminated material and has to be trucked to a specially constructed Snow Dump area. Having to handle the snow this way really increases costs. Right now the city only has one Snow Dump site just off 92nd street along the railroad tracks. We are planning for second site in another area of the city but that will cost money to build too.]
Sidewalks on Both Sides - Snow will either be plowed to the middle and removed or plowed and stockpiled to the sidewalk on the even numbered side of the road on even years or the odd numbered side of the road on odd years.
Sidewalk on One Side only - Snow will generally be plowed to the side without a sidewalk. Snow will be pushed over the curb and onto the City-owned boulevards.
No Sidewalk - The snow will be plowed to both sides.
• What is my responsibility for Snow Removal and Ice Control on the sidewalk along my property?
Bylaw #C-1166: Every Occupant, or owner, of property adjacent to a sidewalk, shall remove, or caused to be removed, and cleared away, any snow or ice from the adjacent sidewalk and the removal shall be completed within 24 hours following the most recent deposit of snow or ice. Do not dispose snow on City Property. Snow removed from sidewalks and private lanes shall not be placed within the City’s roadways.
• Can I park my vehicle on a Permanent Snow Route?
Bylaw #C-1166, and Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy 606; the Roads indentified as Priority I and Priority II for Snow Removal and Ice Control and will be declared Permanent Snow Routes from Nov 15, 2009 until April 15, 2010.
A person shall not park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain parked on a roadway marked as a Permanent Snow Route. All vehicles parked on marked Permanent Snow Routes following the declaration are subject to a fine and/or immediate removal and impound at the expense of the registered owner of the vehicle.
A map of the Permanent Snow Routes (1.8MB PDF Map HERE) available for view by clicking the “Maps” link on the City website at www.cityofgp.com .
We thank all residents of the City of Grande Prairie for their co-operation and if you need to reach us to report hazardous road conditions, have questions about our Snow and Ice Control Program or on any transportation related issue, please call 780 538-0354 or email us at Transport_contact@cityofgp.com .
Thank you,
City of Grande Prairie - Transportation Services
Sidewalks on Both Sides - Snow will either be plowed to the middle and removed or plowed and stockpiled to the sidewalk on the even numbered side of the road on even years or the odd numbered side of the road on odd years.
Sidewalk on One Side only - Snow will generally be plowed to the side without a sidewalk. Snow will be pushed over the curb and onto the City-owned boulevards.
No Sidewalk - The snow will be plowed to both sides.
• What is my responsibility for Snow Removal and Ice Control on the sidewalk along my property?
Bylaw #C-1166: Every Occupant, or owner, of property adjacent to a sidewalk, shall remove, or caused to be removed, and cleared away, any snow or ice from the adjacent sidewalk and the removal shall be completed within 24 hours following the most recent deposit of snow or ice. Do not dispose snow on City Property. Snow removed from sidewalks and private lanes shall not be placed within the City’s roadways.
• Can I park my vehicle on a Permanent Snow Route?
Bylaw #C-1166, and Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy 606; the Roads indentified as Priority I and Priority II for Snow Removal and Ice Control and will be declared Permanent Snow Routes from Nov 15, 2009 until April 15, 2010.
A person shall not park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain parked on a roadway marked as a Permanent Snow Route. All vehicles parked on marked Permanent Snow Routes following the declaration are subject to a fine and/or immediate removal and impound at the expense of the registered owner of the vehicle.
A map of the Permanent Snow Routes (1.8MB PDF Map HERE) available for view by clicking the “Maps” link on the City website at www.cityofgp.com .
We thank all residents of the City of Grande Prairie for their co-operation and if you need to reach us to report hazardous road conditions, have questions about our Snow and Ice Control Program or on any transportation related issue, please call 780 538-0354 or email us at Transport_contact@cityofgp.com .
Thank you,
City of Grande Prairie - Transportation Services
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Ice and Snow
Well, it's -35C this morning so what better time to sit down with a coffee and do a little electronic (web) surfing.
Clicking through my Regular Reading (which can be found on the right hand side of the blog, down near the bottom) I popped in to Leslie Ayer-Jaschke's blog to see if she's resumed posting after the holidays, turns out she has and her first post back is on sidewalk snow removal in Peace River.
Of course with winter comes snow and ice all across the north so the kinds of problems Leslie describes are pretty common. For quite some time in Grande Prairie we've had a bylaw (You'll find the relevant section under Part 4, about mid way down the page) in place requiring residents and businesses to clear any sidewalks that bound their property, or risk facing a $100 fine or the possibility of the city cleaning it and then sending a bill to the property owner. That would only happen in some pretty extreme circumstances but many people aren't aware of it so this year we decided to to a little promotion of the bylaw and the fact that enforcement services is looking for people to comply.
Wouldn't you know it though, just a few weeks after this hit the media I had an email from a resident with a complaint. They live on a fairly major route through the city and they work hard to keep the sidewalk in front of their house clear. The problem is that some of our city trucks are equipped with "belly-blades" so they can also throw snow off the streets as they drive around doing regular loads. Seems like a good idea right? Might as well have every city vehicle that is on the roads working to help clear the streets right?
Well, these guys move faster and have less control of where the snow goes in comparison to a grader. (it just gets sent to the outside of the road) so what happens? They throw snow on to the sidewalk this poor resident just cleared. I've raised the issue with the public works director but isn't it funny how one good idea can sometimes have unintended side effects?
Clicking through my Regular Reading (which can be found on the right hand side of the blog, down near the bottom) I popped in to Leslie Ayer-Jaschke's blog to see if she's resumed posting after the holidays, turns out she has and her first post back is on sidewalk snow removal in Peace River.
Of course with winter comes snow and ice all across the north so the kinds of problems Leslie describes are pretty common. For quite some time in Grande Prairie we've had a bylaw (You'll find the relevant section under Part 4, about mid way down the page) in place requiring residents and businesses to clear any sidewalks that bound their property, or risk facing a $100 fine or the possibility of the city cleaning it and then sending a bill to the property owner. That would only happen in some pretty extreme circumstances but many people aren't aware of it so this year we decided to to a little promotion of the bylaw and the fact that enforcement services is looking for people to comply.
Wouldn't you know it though, just a few weeks after this hit the media I had an email from a resident with a complaint. They live on a fairly major route through the city and they work hard to keep the sidewalk in front of their house clear. The problem is that some of our city trucks are equipped with "belly-blades" so they can also throw snow off the streets as they drive around doing regular loads. Seems like a good idea right? Might as well have every city vehicle that is on the roads working to help clear the streets right?
Well, these guys move faster and have less control of where the snow goes in comparison to a grader. (it just gets sent to the outside of the road) so what happens? They throw snow on to the sidewalk this poor resident just cleared. I've raised the issue with the public works director but isn't it funny how one good idea can sometimes have unintended side effects?
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