The City of Nanaimo is reminding the public to be cautious when outside in the snow and cold.
According to a city press release, crews have been working continuously since Christmas Eve to maintain top priority travel routes, but winter conditions remain challenging with roads covered with packed snow.
Motorists are advised to be prepared when going out as roads will remain covered with snow “for the foreseeable future” as temperatures remain well below freezing. Vehicles should be winter-ready and equipped with snow tires.
Snowfall totalling 45-60 centimetres has blanketed the city over the past few days and the snow finally stopped long enough on Tuesday, Dec. 28, to allow crews to start plowing residential streets.
During snow events, the City of Nanaimo focuses on clearing main emergency routes and all major roads followed by secondary roads and then residential culs-de-sac and dead ends.
When snow plows and salt trucks are operating, drivers must keep back a safe distance and not pass. To help plows clear a wider path on roads, residents are asked to park in their driveways, or on even sides of the road on even days, and odd sides of the road on odd days.
The city is monitoring for conditions that will allow for safe solid waste collection and residents are advised to that with current weather and ice conditions, delays and adjustments to garbage collection schedules can be expected for Wednesday, Dec. 29 and possibly beyond. To learn about garbage collection schedule changes and updates, visit https://bit.ly/33YDJ09.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said in the press release that city crews are working around the clock to deal with the snow accumulation.
“I want to thank Nanaimo residents for their patience and avoiding unnecessary travel, leaving space for essential services to get through and the roads to be cleared. First responder emergency routes are the highest priority. Once those are cleared and the snow stops falling, crews are able to move into residential neighbourhoods,” Krog said. “I wish all Nanaimoites the best of the season.”
READ ALSO: Nanaimo could get a bit of a break from snow
READ ALSO: More snow in the forecast Monday in Nanaimo
photos@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter