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snow operations q & a
WHY DON’T YOUR DRIVERS PUT THE BLADE DOWN AND PLOW
ALL THE SNOW OFF DOWN
TO THE PAVEMENT?
The Department uses some “gravity” plows that can
be mounted on the same trucks used in the summer. These plows tend
to ride on top of the compacted snow. Clearing to the bare pavement
with the trucks could leave unacceptable windrows in driveways.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE’RE ALWAYS PLOWED LAST. WHY CAN’T
WE BE FIRST SOMETIMES?
That’s a good question. People are creatures of habit and
our drivers have a tendency to begin and end in the same places.
We do try to reverse this order if conditions permit.
WHEN IS IT OK TO PARK ON MY STREET AGAIN AFTER IT’S
BEEN PLOWED?
You can park on the street as soon as it’s been completely
plowed to the curb, or its full width. Be careful, it takes more
than one pass for the plows to get the job done completely.
WHY DON’T YOU JUST TOW THE CARS OFF THE STREET THAT DON’T
OBSERVE THE PARKING BANS?
When vehicles are obstructing operations, we must often remove
them. It involves a towing company and considerable time. Sometimes
rather than hold up our equipment it is necessary to plow around
parked vehicles creating snow islands when the vehicle is moved.
If there is a car on your street that is never moved, call the
Public Works Department at 787-8150.
WHAT CAN I DO TO AVOID BEING TOWED?
Have and use off street parking during winter months. When parking
on the street insure that you comply with posted parking restrictions
as well as the general city-wide winter parking restrictions.
CAN YOU REDUCE COSTS?
We try to keep a good balance between levels of service and expenditures
by continually trying to improve our service without increasing
costs. Our budget has remained relatively constant for the past
few years but actual costs depend on the weather. The more snow
and icing, the more it costs.
WHY CAN’T THE CITY REMOVE THE SNOW THEY PUT IN MY
DRIVEWAY?
Snow is removed from driveway entrances when the clearing operation
is done by graders. The truck mounted plows cover too large an
area for driveway snow removal operations to keep up. We continue
to examine options to reduce the inconvenience of the windrows
left in your driveway.
WHY DO THE PLOWS GO SO FAST?
Plows do have to go a minimum speed in order to throw snow off
to the side. We do ask our drivers not to drive faster than necessary.
In some cases however, shrubs, fences, walkways and driveways close
to the curb cannot avoid getting snow on them.
MY STREET WAS PLOWED POORLY BECAUSE OF PARKED CARS. CAN YOU COME
BACK AND PLOW AGAIN?
We will certainly try to when time permits. Call us at the Public
Works Department at 787-8150.
MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED. WHERE WILL I FIND IT?
For information on where towed vehicles are being stored, call
City Hall at 787-8150.
I’M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT. WHY DON’T
YOU ELIMINATE THE USE OF SALT?
The City uses liquid Calcium Chloride for severe icing conditions.
The Calcium Chloride content used in our sand is applied upon discharge
of the granular from the sand truck assist it in binding to the
roads. Direct salt applications are very expensive and are used
only when absolutely necessary. Trial continues on reducing Calcium
Chloride requirements.
Granular materials used are 3/8” crushed, washed, rock piled
with no freeze proofing.
I DIDN’T KNOW YOU WOULD BE PLOWING AND I THINK IT’S
UNFAIR THAT MY CAR GOT TOWED AWAY.
We try to give snow removal operations as much publicity as we
can. The news people are very cooperative with us on this. Try
to be on the lookout for news from your radio, television, newspaper
or call City Hall at 787-8150 for the most current update on what
areas are being worked on. Maybe your neighbour thinks it’s
unfair the street wasn’t plowed where your car was parked.
WHO CAN I CALL IF I’VE GOT A COMPLAINT OR A REQUEST?
For plowing or sanding call (250) 787-8150. All emergency maintenance
requests after normal working hours should go to City Answering
Service at 785-5880.
I’D LIKE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION ON SNOW REMOVAL. WHO
CAN I SEND IT TO?
We’ll be happy to get your suggestions. Send them to City
of Fort St. John, 10631 - 100th Street, Fort St. John, B.C., V1J
3Z5, Attention: Victor Shopland, Director of Public Works and Utilities.
WHERE DO I PARK DOWNTOWN AT NIGHT?
Wherever possible use off-street parking lots.
IS IT ALL RIGHT TO ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO DIG SNOW CAVES ALONG
ROADSIDE SNOW BANKS?
This should definitely not be allowed. Equipment widening streets
or blowing snow banks back could collapse a snow cave trapping
or seriously injuring children inside. Our operators are constantly
watching for children but if hidden in a snow cave a child may
not be seen until it is too late.
Help us in our efforts - Please DO NOT shovel / blow / plow snow
from sidewalks or driveways onto the street. The snow should be
placed on abutting boulevards so as not to create an unexpected
hazard for motorists or pedestrians.
For more information on Snow Clearing, please contact Victor
Shopland, Director of Public Works and Utilities at (250) 787-8150.
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