Snowplows are pushing plumes, loaders are power-shoveling, and graders are wind-rowing the white stuff.
It is the first big dump of staying snow this winter and the City of Prince George crews were ready for it.
"Snow and ice control crews are in full operation clearing priority routes throughout the city due to the ongoing heavy snowfall," said City Hall spokesman Michael Kellett.
He explained that the city is arranged into three categories. Prince George has 670 km of roads and 184 km of sidewalks. A colour-coded breakdown of the three categories (orange/pink is Priority 1, green is Priority 2, grey is Priority 3 and the thick yellow routes are provincial jurisdiction) can be seen online at the City of Prince George website under the keyword title Snow Removal Priority Rating.
"Graders and loaders are clearing priority one and priority two routes while sander/plow trucks and sidewalk machines are also operating on routes around the city," said Kellett. "Snow and ice control crews will remain in full operation 24 hours per day through the weekend clearing priority routes throughout the city, including the downtown area."
Kellett explained the thresholds for different snow-clearing actions to be taken by municipal crews.
- If at least 7.5cm of snow falls in a 24-hour period, the city aims to clear Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes 48 hours following the end of the snowfall.
- If at least 12 cm of snow falls in a 24-hour period, as it did Friday the cty aims to clear Priority 3 routes 72 hours after Priority 1 and 2 routes are completed.
To aid in the snow clearing efforts, residents are reminded that winter parking laws are in effect from now until April 15.
- On-street parking is prohibited from midnight to 7 a.m. downtown.
- On-street parking is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Priority 1 roads and hills, the hospital district, and a number of other designated roads.
- On-street parking is prohibited from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in residential areas. Parking on the side of the street with odd house numbers is permitted from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. unless otherwise posted.
Illegally parked vehicles are subject to a $50 ticket per offence and/or may be towed. (Plowing around parked vehicles can slow down operations and create hazards for other vehicles by creating windrows in the street.)
