Montreal’s fourth and largest snow removal operation is well underway after about 40 centimetres of snow blanketed the streets and sidewalks.
READ MORE: Montrealers dig out and snow removal begins in aftermath of winter storm
“That’s huge. That represents 20 per cent of an entire winter in one night,” said Philippe Sabourin, City of Montreal spokesperson.
“It will cost a lot, $40 million.”
Snow removal kicked off at the city centre at 7 p.m. Wednesday. It started at 7 a.m. Thursday in the boroughs.
As of 9 p.m. Thursday, all boroughs were reporting that they had completed less than 25 per cent of snow clearing.
READ MORE: Massive winter storm strikes southern Quebec
Saint-Leonard and Anjou were the highest at 23 per cent, followed by Plateau-Mont-Royal at 21 per cent, then Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles at 20 per cent, Outremont at 19 per cent and Verdun at 18 per cent.
“I have to say I’ve been very content with the services I’ve gotten this far,” Verdun resident Sophie Lebreton told Global News.
With the build-up of snow along highways, and blowing snow clogging up ramps and exits, Quebec provincial police are warning drivers to be careful on the roads.
READ MORE: Slushy mess greets Montreal commuters after onslaught of freezing rain, snow
“Reduce your speed, keep your distance from the cars ahead of you and make sure your windows and lights are cleared,” the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said.
IN PHOTOS: Montrealers digging out of their homes
In Montreal, the entire snow clearing operation is expected to take about a week to complete.
A total of 3,300 workers are expected to take part in snow clearing operations.
Follow snow removal in your neighbourhood on the Info-Neige app.
WATCH: Montreal has been hammered with 40 centimetres of snow, but the weather didn’t stop from Montrealers from getting outside and enjoying the snow day.