It's business as usual for most city services in Richmond, but garbage and recycling collection are delayed due to road conditions.
The City of Richmond is warning residents that garbage and recycling collection will be delayed today. Green cart materials will be prioritized as materials have frozen in the carts.
Residents are asked to ensure snow buildup on carts is removed and clear a path for crews to wheel carts safely to the collection truck. Garbage and recycling bins not collected today can be left out at the curbside for collection.
Community centres, Brighouse library, pools and parks are open, while the Arts Centre and Art Gallery are closed. Individual programs such as some classes at the Hamilton Community Centre and Minoru Centre for Active Living are cancelled. A full list of service updates can be found here.
According to the city's service update on Tuesday morning, a "comprehensive" snow response plan is in motion where experienced staff are monitoring weather and road conditions. Public works staff switched to 24/7 coverage and crews are working 12-hour shifts to clear snow and treat roads.
The city has 39 specialized pieces of equipment and vehicles for snow response and has 1,050 tonnes of salt onsite and 2,200 tonnes on reserve.
Major arterial routes will be pre-treated and cleared first and the city is addressing routes according to pre-established priorities. Collector roads and roads of local significance rank third and will be salted and cleared after first and second-priority routes are addressed. A map of routes in their respective priorities can be accessed here.
The city is also reminding Richmondites to shovel their sidewalks as residential owners, commercial and industrial and occupants are required by Traffic Bylaw 5870 to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their properties before 10 a.m. every day.
Here are a few tips for residents:
- Shovel snow onto lawns or into designated parking stalls, not the street. Shovelling snow onto the street is a hazard for vehicles and creates more work for snow plows, which slows down the clearing process.
- Ensure accessible parking stalls on your property are clear of snow and ice.
- Keep storm drains and grates around home and business properties clear of snow and debris. Blockages can cause pooling as temperatures warm.
