Public Service Announcements
(Tuesday, February 5/2002)-- The public is advised that Halifax Regional municipal offices will be open for business, beginning at noon today. The offices were closed this morning in an effort to reduce traffic flow into the downtown districts.
Also, the public is asked to please be patient when calling the HRM Corporate Call Centre for transit schedules or other information. The centre is operating on reduced staff numbers because many call takers were unable to get to work this morning due to the heavy snowfall conditions.
Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when travelling today and to be on the alert for pedestrians walking on the sides of the road.
HRM snow crews are expected to be working throughout the day and overnight in an effort to clear streets and to plow the snow back to the curb, so please remember:
Off-Street Parking
1) The provincial Motor Vehicles Act clearly states that vehicles must be parked off-street so as not to interfere with, or obstruct snow removal or winter maintenance operations. That includes when snowfall or icing conditions are forecast; during snow storms or winter freezing periods; and during clean-up operations following storms. Violators will be ticketed and their vehicles will be towed.
Sidewalk Clearing
2) Property owners in the former city of Halifax are reminded that their sidewalks must be clear from ice or snow for a minimum of three feet or the width of the sidewalk and down to the bare pavement within 12 hours after the stop of a snowfall; or in the event a snowfall occurs overnight, six hours after first daylight.
Driveways
3) Whenever possible, property owners should not shovel out their driveways immediately after the first pass of a snow plow-- it will usually take the plows two to three passes to properly clear streets. The operators do not plow-in driveways to be nasty-their first responsibility is to keep our streets and roads passable for public safety.
Pedestrians
4) Pedestrians are urged to use sidewalks, whenever possible, and to use extra caution should they decide to walk on roadways in traffic.
Halifax Regional Municipality urges it citizens to be patient during this busy winter snow season. Snow and ice control crews are doing their best, trying to provide the best service that they can under unusually tough winter conditions.
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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531
