City of Ottawa laying out plan of attack for winter storm
Posted Feb 12, 2019 05:44:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City of Ottawa has more than 500 pieces of snow-removal equipment ready to go as soon as the first flake of the impending winter storm falls.
Up to 40 cm of snow is expected in Ottawa between Tuesday at 2 p.m. and Wednesday afternoon.
Manager of Road Services Luc Gagne told 1310 NEWS' Ottawa Today with Mark Sutcliffe, a parking ban is in place Tuesday night.
Listen to the full conversation:
He doesn't think Tuesday's afternoon commute will be much of a problem for residents, but the storm is expected to intensify in the evening and overnight hours.
Gagne explained that at least a centimetre or two should fall every hour during the storm, meaning that a half hour after plows go through main streets, it might not even look like they had been there. He hopes that plows will be able to return to main arteries every three to four hours.
Constable Phil Kane with the Ottawa Police Service's Traffic Services Unit said one problem many might encounter Wednesday morning is shoveling out of their driveways, only to get stuck on their unplowed residential streets.
Listen to Kane talking about traffic enforcement during the storm on 1310 NEWS' Ottawa Today with Mark Sutcliffe:
He said, if you have to head out of the house tomorrow, pack a shovel, warm gear and a cell phone (but don't use the phone while driving). Also, Kane advises residents to clear their vehicles of snow, including the head and tail lights, and then leave lots of space and watch their speed when on the roads.
About 25 cm of snow is expected to be on the ground by 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. Wednesday.
City snow removal crews will not be stopping until all roads are cleared.
