Public Service Announcement

Crews will continue to clear streets throughout day and overnight; slow morning commute can be expected

Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 (Halifax, NS) – Snowfall amounts have exceeded 40 cm in some areas and snow clearing crews will continue to clear the streets throughout today and overnight.

Crews will be focusing on removing snow overnight however motorists can expect a slow commute Monday morning due to lane narrowing from drifting snow. Street clearing will take at least two nights to complete.

Pedestrians should also expect to need extra time in the morning. Sidewalk clearing is ongoing where possible but slow due to the volumes of snow and will take several days to complete.

Bus stop clearing will begin overnight but it will also take several days to load and haul all the snow. The turnaround time for completing bus stop clearing is typically 72 hours after the end of snowfall once all sidewalks are complete. Given the amount of weekend snowfall, achieving these services standards will take longer.

Snow removal in the business districts will begin Monday night and crews will focus on specific blocks and areas on a day-to-day basis.

The overnight winter parking ban continues to be enforced until further notice.

Please note that in situations like this where snowfall amounts are greater than 30 cm overall with blizzard-like conditions, standard turnaround times for street, sidewalk and bus stop clearing will take longer to achieve. HRM's crews will continue working until all snow clearing is complete.

HRM thanks you for your patience and cooperation while this work gets done.

For more on HRM’s snow clearing standards, please visit: http://www.halifax.ca/Works/streets/servicestand.html

For more information on the parking ban and status of snow clearing operations, please visit halifax.ca/snow, call 311 or follow us on Twitter @hfxgov.

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Media contact:
Michaelyn Thompson
HRM Communications
222-1139
thompsom@halifax.ca