City of Winkler Snow Removal Policy — full text

This is an automated transcription (OCR) of the captured official document — minor recognition errors are possible; the source document governs. Snapshot 4c5e05bdfeba · verified 2026-06-09 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

## City of Winkler Operational Snow Removal Policy 2022 The Public Works Supervisor shall have the authority and be responsible for day-to-day decisions regarding snow removal in the City of Winkler, including the deployment of employees and equipment, as well as engaging private operators to assist when the circumstances warrant. The above work is subject to the constraints of the current year budget. All extraordinary circumstances or expenditures that may exceed the current budget, shall be referred to the Transportation Committee for information in the event of an emergency, or if funds are not anticipated to be adequate to complete further snow clearing measures prior to an event. As per Traffic & Parking By-law 2272-22 Section 3.13. Snow Route Parking Restriction (Ban). No person shall park a vehicle on a street during an advertised snow clearing event. From October 1 to April 30 a 24Hr advertised notice shall be given before any snow clearing event by the local traffic authority or designate. Vehicles found in violation will be towed. The City of Winkler Public Works Department bases its response to winter snow events on the following principles: That City streets remain passable and are returned to safe winter driving conditions as soon as reasonably possible. That the Public Works Department response is tailored to the nature and magnitude of the snow event and the necessary resources immediately made available. Typical accumulation to begin snow removal is 5 - 7cm (2"- 2.75"). That City streets are cleared in a priority order, which is based on the classification and volume of traffic using each street. The area of the city that has waste pickup (garbage, compost, and recycling) will be cleared after compost and recycling bins have been clean up by the homeowners. This is so snow can be removed more efficiently, and garbage is not spilled onto the street and that compost and recycle bins are not damaged by snow removal equipment. During any snow event the Public Works Department appreciates your cooperation, please be patient, we will get to your street as soon as possible.   ## Snow Removal Processes: Snowfall amount, density of snow, humidity, rising or falling temperatures, wind velocity and direction along with the time of year, all play a part in how the City's Public Works Department responds to any snow event. If a Citywide plowing program is implemented, it will be completed within 120 hours after a snow event to the level of service identified in this policy. In the event of an emergency, snow plowing equipment will be diverted to assist emergency vehicles (police, fire, or ambulance) and utility services (water, sewer, electric, or gas) as required, which may affect the number of hours required to complete snow clearing activities. Snow removal on streets is done with graders and snow is pushed onto city boulevards. Driveway approach openings are cleared by a driveway wing attached to the grader blade. Although the driveway wing removes most of the snow, ridges that require further clearing efforts by the property owner may be left by the grader driveway wing due to the amount of snow and/or proximity of other driveways. In areas where moving snow onto City boulevards is not possible (example: Downtown Areas) due to location of sidewalks, or other infrastructure, snow will be placed into windrows along the centre or side of the street. Openings in the windrow will be made to allow vehicles to access intersections. Windrows will be blowen into trucks and hauled to a snow dump site within 72hrs of the start of clearing efforts. Snow removal in Cul-de-sacs/Bays is done with a wheel loader, snow in cul-de-sacs is pushed onto city boulevards or the centre of the cul-de-sac if space is available. ## Walking/Bike Paths & Sidewalks: Walking/bike paths and main sidewalks leading to and around school zones have a priority to be cleared as soon as possible. After that is complete, walking/bike paths and sidewalk clearing will take place. One side of all streets will be cleared, the side to be cleared is dependant upon the side the mailbox is on. In higher density areas both sides the street will be cleared. 4th Street to 8th Street between South Railway Ave and Pembina Ave. There may be exceptions due to the type of buildings in the area.  ## Snow Routes: Snow plowing and/or snow removal is conducted according to a priority system. When storms are continuous, or closely follow one another, operations will be repeated or continue on the routes of the highest priority, before moving onto routes of a lesser priority. These route designations include the following: ## Primary, Downtown & Secondary Routes (Zones) Primary routes are to be plowed within 36 hours of the start of a snow event. Primary arterial streets throughout the city are plowed to ensure ease of travel. These streets are evenly spread city wide. Primary routes consist of arterial and collector streets and some selected residential streets. The clearing of snow on these streets is the main emphasis of the snow clearing program following a snow event. Once finished Primary routes crews will move directly into Secondary routes. City crews, however, may be clearing Secondary streets while the Primary routes are being cleared. Downtown streets are generally cleared at night because of less traffic and for windrowing. Secondary streets and roads that are the responsibility of the City of Winkler will take place immediately after Primary routes are cleared and/or at the same time depending on the severity of the snow event. ## Snow Routes (Zone) Map - Primary Green, Downtown Blue, Secondary Red   ## Wind and Snow Drifts: Any snow event may be given an upgraded response level, depending on factors such as temperature, density of snow, wind speed and direction. Depending on the direction of wind and amount of loose snow, equipment will be deployed to ensure routes remain navigable. With blowing and drifting snow, not all areas of the City will require the same level of service. The decision to increase or adjust the response will be at the discretion of the Public Works Supervisor. ## Follow Up Snow Removal: Following the initial snow plowing and or removal in response to any particular snow event, some areas of the city will require remedial snow plowing and/or removal. This maybe due to parked vehicles on the streets where snow ridges or piles maybe left after vehicles have been moved, also in the event of localized drifting. This work will be completed in the following days or so to clear up these trouble spots. This also pertains to sidewalks and walkways ## Pushing Snow onto City Streets, Ditches and Sidewalks: As per the City of Winkler Traffic By-law No. 2272-22, Section 6.1 states: No person shall deposit snow from private properties onto public roads, streets, lanes, sidewalks, and ditches. Persons found depositing snow on streets, public roads, lanes, sidewalks, and ditches may be charged the cost to remove such snow. The above-noted By-law does not apply to the Province, the City, or their agents or employees who are actively contracted the City for snow removal from streets, boulevards, or sidewalks. Please deposit snow from private property onto front yards.  ## Miscellaneous snow clearing: City crews also clear fire hydrants, snow build up at intersections affecting visibility, back lane access to the streets and City sidewalk ramps where they meet intersections. When snow has accumulated and high snow ridges are narrowing streets, snow may be blowen over further onto city boulevards or hauled away. ## Sanding: A combination of sand/salt is used at key locations throughout the city when street and weather conditions warrant and or after snow clearing is completed. City trucks are deployed regularly to place these combinations on areas such as intersections, and streets to provide additional traction for driving safety during winter months. ## Key Locations are as follows - Intersections, School Zones, Commercial/Shopping areas, Industrial areas, Turning lanes, High Density Areas, Curves in the road and Mailboxes When determined necessary, walkways & sidewalks may be lightly sanded where equipment is able to go. ## Questions/Concerns: In the event of questions or concerns regarding snow removal on streets, walking/bike paths & sidewalks as well as street sanding, forward questions or concerns to public works, and the public works supervisor will review and determine what course of action will be taken. Phone (204) 325-7535   Effective: February 1, 2022 Authorized By: Scott Toews ≤ Director of Planning & Infrastructure Cliff Wall Public Works & Facilities Manager