Cleanup from snowstorm could take months
The remaining snow cleanup and removal following this month's historic snowstorm will take up to two months, and neighbourhoods will be prioritized randomly, according to a report on its way to city council's Monday meeting.
The order will be “determined at random and then balanced by ward to ensure progress is taking place equally across the city,” it states, adding that the decision was made to ensure it's done in “a balanced and fair manner.”
The plan is scheduled to start Nov. 30.
“This is the largest response to a snow event in the city's history,” general manager of transportation and construction Terry Schmidt said in a statement, nearly three weeks after approximately 40 centimetres of snow fell on Saskatoon. “This massive accumulation of snow means it's necessary for us to respond with a neighbourhood cleanup effort that is unprecedented.”
While the street clearing was largely done within a week — some missed neighbourhoods took longer — removing the snow will take more time because it requires more equipment, which has to move between neighbourhoods and snow removal sites.
“Since neighbourhood snow removal is a more involved process, and something new for our city, it's difficult to predict how much time it will take to move through the neighbourhoods,” Schmidt said, noting that once the process begins, a more accurate estimate and schedule will be posted online.
According to the report, it could be as long as two months before the entire city is covered. According to the city, the process includes removing snow ridges and piles on both sides of local roads along lot frontages and at intersections, as well as snow adjacent to fire hydrants in areas where the windrows are not removed, and the removal of snow in the bulbs of cul-de-sacs.
Piles left by clearing that encroach on sidewalks will be cleared when the roadway snow is addressed.
The city said snow ridges and piles on roads that are not affecting driveability will remain in place.
The city will attempt to provide 24 hours' notice by installing no-parking signs on streets where crews are expected. Residents will be asked to move their vehicles off the street to allow for the most efficient snow removal.
The removal schedule will also be aligned with the waste and recycling collections schedule.