WINNIPEG – The city has declared a snow route parking ban after another snowfall which lasted for much of the day, Wednesday. City sanding trucks were on the roads before another tough afternoon commute was expected, with poor driving conditions slowing traffic down.
More than 300 plows will work on main streets, bus routes and collector streets starting at 7:00 p.m. Crews will also continue sanding throughout the evening and overnight.
The declared snow route parking ban will take effect at midnight. Vehicles parked on any snow route between midnight and 7:00 a.m. may find a $100 ticket and their vehicle towed. The ban will be in effect until crews have finished clearing the snow.
Crews will begin plowing sidewalks on Thursday at 7:00 a.m.
Extra fire and paramedic crews will also be out in case of an emergency.
“We anticipate weather,” said Bill Clark, with the Winnipeg Fire/Paramedic Service. “Usually, in a case like this, we add two or three extra units.”
A snowfall warning remained in effect for Winnipeg and other areas, with an additional 10 cm of snow expected Wednesday throughout south-central and southeast Manitoba. Another 5 to 10 cm is expected overnight into Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for Environment Canada said southern Manitoba saw between 3 to 20 centimeters of snow.
As of 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Steinbach, Gimli and Winnipeg saw close to 10 cm.
Landmark, Gretna, Great Falls and Pine Falls saw 15 cm.
Portage la Prairie saw between 10 and 15 cm. Sprague saw closer to 20 cm while Brandon saw about 3 cm.
Wind remains a top concern.
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“Gradually strengthening north winds today and tonight will result in blowing snow and reduced visibilities,” Environment Canada says on its website.
Drivers inside city limits were reporting a slow drive down major routes.
One driver said it took almost half an hour to get from downtown to the Norwood Bridge. It took another 60 minutes to get to Fermor Avenue and Lagimodiere Boulevard.
Chris Broughton, head of the union representing city paramedics, also warned that the weather conditions were impacting ambulance response times and urged Winnipeggers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
“Really if you don’t need to be going out, wait until the roads are clear and save us a great deal of trouble as we respond to calls,” Broughton told Global News.
He adds that most calls for paramedic service were for weather-related traffic accidents, and heart trouble from people overexerting themselves while shoveling snow.
The province also sent an advisory Wednesday warning drivers to play it safe on highways.
“With a winter storm in the current weather forecast, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation is asking drivers to drive to road conditions and to watch for snow-clearing equipment on highways and provincial roads,” officials said in a news release.
Drivers are reminded:
* to check the weather forecast and driving conditions before travelling and to delay or cancel travel if it is not recommended,
* to consider turning back or finding a safe place to stop if conditions get worse while driving,
* that all maintenance equipment has flashing blue warning lights,
* to stay well back of all equipment,
* to always remain alert when following or approaching oncoming plows,
* not to attempt to pass a plow in operation from behind at any time, and
* to slow down when passing approaching snowplows in operation.
Conditions will gradually improve later on Thursday as the system moves away but with either steady or dropping temperatures.
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