As Vancouverites recover from this week’s snow storm, the City of Vancouver says it is working 24/7 to remove snow and ice.
Overnight, temperatures hovered at or below freezing and crews continued to focus on “priority routes,” including plowing in pairs to clear major roads of remaining snow, the City said in a press release.
“While the City was still dealing with slush on priority routes yesterday evening, there was minimal amounts of ice on the road as salting from the previous night/day yielded positive results,” the City said, adding that crews spent Thursday morning spot-salting remaining problem areas and patrolling higher elevations.
With a chance of rain in the forecast Thursday, the city’s storm response is still focused on snow and ice because of the potential for rain turning to ice when it hits the ground.
“We once again have hundreds of staff clearing sidewalks at curb ramps and bus stops,” the City said.
At the same time, crews are also clearing the city’s catch basins in anticipation of the forecasted rainfall, and the resulting melting snow, this weekend.
The City is forecasting spending approximately $1.5 million on snow removal, with about $500,000 spent on salt.
With an eye on the upcoming rainy weekend, the City is encouraging residents to clear catch basins near their properties over the next couple of days to help with mitigation of pooling water.
“When catch basins are not draining despite being cleared, the City will be actively responding to flooding calls,” the statement reads, adding that those calls are dealt with in a priority sequence with emergency situations getting first response.
For those living outside, the city’s three warming centres will be open every night through Friday.
All are welcome and people can bring carts and pets. People with their own bedding may choose to sleep at the centres, and hot drinks and snacks are provided.
Extra shelter spaces will also remain open through Friday.
And Carnegie Community Centre and Gathering Place will once again open at 8 a.m. Friday to accommodate people leaving warming centres and shelters.
Residents can call 211 for shelter information.
