Questions and Answers
Q: What is the City of Regina’s Winter Maintenance Program?
A: The City of Regina’s Winter Maintenance Program consists of snow plowing and removal, ice control, providing a snow storage facility and clearing catch basins during spring runoff. Changes were made to the City’s snow clearing policy, which were approved by City Council in December 2006, to define services to make Regina’s roads and sidewalks safer following a snowfall. The policy is reviewed on a continuous basis.
Q: What is the budget for the 2010/2011 winter season?
A: The budget for the 2010/2011 winter season is $5.1 million.
Q: Is there a reserve?
A: As of January 1, 2010, the winter reserve held $3.4 million. The winter reserve is basically a bank account required to accommodate the unpredictable winter weather. The reserve grows in low demand years and is drawn from in higher demand years.
Q: Why don’t we have a sidewalk clearing bylaw for residential?
A: A bylaw was considered as part of the winter policy review conducted in 2006; however, the City has chosen to continue to encourage residents to keep their sidewalks clear through advertising and promotion. The Winter Maintenance Program is continually reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Q: How does the City determine what streets are going to be cleared?
A: Plowing is done using the Priority Street System Plan. Main streets, bus routes and collector streets receive a higher priority. Residential streets are plowed upon a single event in excess of 25cm. Residential ice shaving will be implemented to address rutting.
During a major snowstorm, only heavily blocked streets will be opened within 8 hours after the end of the storm to provide access for emergency vehicles. All other streets are plowed in accordance with the Priority Street System Plan.
CATEGORY 1: Roads are cleared within 24 hours after a major snow event. These are streets such as Albert, Broad, Victoria and the Lewvan.
CATEGORY 2: Roads, such as Elphinstone Street, Broadway Avenue, and Regina Avenue, are plowed within 36 hours after the end of a major snowfall.
CATEGORY 3: Roads that include designated transit routes are cleared within 48 hours.
CATEGORY 4: Roads that include minor collectors are cleared within 60 hours.
Q. What does the City doing about rutting on streets?
A. The ice shaving pilot program started in 2006 to reduce the effect and existence of severe rutting on residential city streets. The program became a permanent part of the city's winter maintenance operations in 2010. Ice shaving is performed by a belly plow located under a tandem truck and is used to help cut down the rutting that occurs on residential streets once it is severe. The benefit of ice shaving for residential streets is that removal is not necessary, as no snowridges are created from this process. Ice shaving in previous years was shown to be an effective operational process to control rutting on residential streets. However, it has been identified that it may be more effective if performed on a more continual basis.
Q: What is done to control icy streets?
A: Typically, ice control materials (sand, sand/salt, pre-wetting application) are applied intermittently in required spot sections. Continuous or uninterrupted application of materials is not standard practice. Category streets are monitored on a regular basis. All other residential sidewalks are not sanded. The City provides public sandboxes for general public to sand the walks in front of their property.
Q: Where are the public sandboxes located?
A: Sandboxes can be found at the following locations:
- Albert Scott Community Centre (1264 Athol St. by tennis courts on 7th Ave)
- Al Ritchie Memorial Arena (2230 Lindsay St.)
- Cathedral Neighbourhood Recreation Centre (2900 13th Ave. in alley)
- Glencairn Neighbourhood Recreation Centre (2626 Dewdney Ave.)
- Jack Hamilton Arena (1010 McCarthy Blvd. by tennis courts)
- Murray Balfour Arena (70 Massey Rd.)
- Northgate Mall (7th Ave. North and Lorne St. by recycle bins)
- Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre (3130 Woodhams Dr.)
- South Leisure Centre (222 Sunset Dr.)
Q: What can residents do to improve snow clearing?
A: Help crews help you this winter by:
- Parking in your driveway or garage. Crews can plow the streets quicker when there are not vehicles parked on major streets and roads after a major snowfall.
- Drive carefully near snow removal equipment. Pass only when necessary and with extreme caution since flying snow from the plow may reduce visibility and the road ahead has not been cleared of snow.
- Allow extra time for travel. Slow down for safety and plan you route in advance. If you can’t drive because of the snow, consider taking Regina Transit to your destination.
- If a snowridge is left on your driveway and is higher than 30 cm or you see a snow ridge that is blocking intersection sight-lines or makes driving hazardous, you can report the snowridge’s location using the City’s online Contact Us form or by calling 306-777-7000 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
- Be a SnowFighter! Do your part to help keep sidewalks safe by shovelling snow and ice. Better yet, help a neighbour, familiy member or friend that may be in need of help clearing sidewalks.
Q: Where is the snow storage facility?
A: There is one snow storage facility located in the Northeast at the corner of Fleet St. and McDonald St/Hwy 46. The site is currently open 7 days a week and will remain open as weather conditions and the City of Regina removal activity permits. Once temperatures warm and snow begins to melt the City will no longer maintain the site.