Now that the first major snowstorm rolled in Park Extension the Borough is assuring residents that it makes every effort to provide them with optimal snow removal service. The teams must continually adjust their interventions according to the different realities present on the ground. Each situation is unique and requires everyone’s cooperation.
According to the borough’s announcement, road snow removal is done according to 3 levels of priority:
1/ Main arteries, secondary arteries, very narrow streets, priority bus routes and reserved lanes, hospital entrances, major commercial streets, cycling paths ( REV), and streets with high traffic flow.
2/ Collector streets, local streets of a mainly commercial nature, regular bus routes.
3/ Local streets, mainly residential streets, streets in industrial sectors, streets with low traffic flow.
It should be noted that the sidewalks are cleared and de-iced at all times, regardless of the priority level of the street in which they are located.
The ABCs of snow removal operations
Snow removal operations are complex and require great agility from the teams. Heavy snowfall, presence of ice, meteorological cocktail, each situation is unique and requires appropriate interventions.
Snow removal operations are divided into different activities:
Spreading
Objective: to facilitate movement on roads and sidewalks by spreading a melting agent (salt), an abrasive (gravel) or a mixture of the two.
When: preventively, even before the arrival of the first precipitation, in the presence of ice on the ground or sleet.
Frequency: spreading operations last as long as necessary to facilitate movement. Spreading is also done after snow loading operations.
In keeping with its commitment to ecological transition, the Borough is working to optimize salt and abrasive spreading operations by using environmentally friendly strategies. The spreading of abrasives on the roadway is carried out over a distance of 50 m before each intersection in order to facilitate stops.
Clearing
It is important for the teams to be able to count on the cooperation of the population to facilitate movement on the roadway and sidewalks as quickly as possible.
Watch for parking restrictions in effect. Less towing = free parking faster!
Typically, no parking signs from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. are posted before 3:00 p.m. the same day, and no parking signs from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. are posted the day before 8:00 p.m. Parking restrictions may remain longer than expected. Indeed, events beyond our control (equipment breakdown, major towing, changing weather conditions) can delay operations. It is therefore important to continue to respect the signage on the ground.
To allow pedestrians to circulate more easily, leave the sidewalks clear at all times to allow the spreading of ice melters and/or abrasives (salt, crushed stones) and snow removal.
To allow the passage of sidewalk devices, park your vehicle 30 cm from the sidewalk parallel to it. No part of your vehicle should overhang the sidewalk, including mirrors.
Dispose of your residual materials (garbage, recycling, food waste, bulky items, construction, renovation and demolition waste and Christmas trees) in such a way as to allow the passage of sidewalk devices.
Identify your adopted tree patches by setting up protective stakes. You can get one free of charge by going to one of the three Éco-quartier program service points.
Several tools exist to keep residents informed of planned operations and help thrm monitor parking restrictions:
The INFO-Neige MTL application, available in the App Store and on Google Play
The map of snow removal operations
L progress of snow loading
Notices and alerts: residents can subscribe to the Notices and alerts service to be informed of loading operations by text message or email.
However, Park Extension residents must keep in mind that street signage will always take precedence over information given by digital platforms.
Private snow removal and assistance service
Property Rules must be followed when clearing snow on a private property.
In particular, it is forbidden to deposit snow on the sidewalk or in the street when residents clear their driveway or their parking area. They have to pile it on their land.
People aged 80 and over and people with reduced mobility can benefit from snow removal assistance. To submit a request, people must be referred by the CLSC or an organization in their neighborhood and contact the Carrefour jeunesse emploi Centre-Nord.
