PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Storm Update January 24/05 16:30 hrs

Residents are urged to remain off the streets and roads unless absolutely necessary, so as not to obstruct or delay snow clearing operations.

Crews will be concentrating on lane widening, bus stops and sidewalk clearing tonight. Motorists are urged to find off-street parking for their vehicle, so as not to obstruct snow clearing operations, which wouldl result in their vehicle being ticketed and towed.

Snow clearing operations will focus on the downtown business sections on Tuesday and Wednesday overnight. Crews will be using snow blowers and tandem trucks to remove the snow from the downtown area. It will be trucked to a number of designated HRM sites. Please note that HRM will NOT be dumping snow into the Halifax Harbour.

If they must travel, motorists are advised that streets and roads continue to remain icy and packed in many cases, because salt is not effective in current sub-zero temperatures. Please exercise caution if you have to use your vehicle.

High snowbanks at intersections may also obstruct clear views of traffic, so motorists and pedestrians are urged to exercise extreme caution. Residents wanting to report poor visability at specific interesectioons at asked to call the HRM dispatch centre at 490-4000.

Because of the huge volume of snow that has fallen, all sidewalks normally plowed by HRM may not be cleared for 72 hours. Pedestrians, if forced to walk on streets and roads, are urged to walk facing oncoming traffic.

HRM thanks you for your cooperation.
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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531
(902) 490-4044 (fax)