Richmond appears to have received close to 25 centimetres of snow during last night’s storm, according to the city.
Environment Canada’s forecast initially called for five to 10 centimetres for Metro Vancouver.
Richmond’s roads – like many across the region – were covered with snow during the morning commute, due to the heavy snowfall overnight.
City spokesperson Clay Adams said crews worked through the night, with more than a dozen trucks plowing and clearing nearly 3,000 kilometres of Richmond roads.
More than 93 tonnes of salt, along with nearly 100,000 litres of brine, were used to remove ice.
City crews are now focusing on continuing to clear bus routes and bus stops, as well as arterial roads with wheelchair ramps, community centres and city facilities, said Adams.
Crews will also continue to clear first, second and third priority roads throughout the city, and treat roads with salt and brine.
A map of the city’s priority routes can be viewed here.
Traffic camera images from the city and Drive BC showed snow on the East-West Connector, Steveston Highway, No. 3 Road and the Alex Fraser Bridge around 7:30 a.m.
Richmond residents and commercial and industrial property owners are reminded that they must clear snow and ice from their sidewalks by 10 a.m., under city bylaw.
People are also asked to shovel snow onto lawns or designated parking stalls, not the street, as that is hazardous for vehicles and slows down crews working to plow the roads.
The city is also asking residents to help keep storm and drainage grates in the roadways clear of leaves, branches, snow or other debris to help prevent water from pooling when the weather warms up.
