First Snowfall Cleanup in Montreal: Four Days to Clear the Streets
The City of Montreal is preparing for a significant snow cleanup operation, estimating it will take approximately four days to clear the snowfall from the streets. The city invites residents to cooperate in this endeavor.
Snowfall Cleanup Timeline
The cleanup is set to begin on Saturday morning, with operations scheduled throughout all boroughs. According to administrative spokesperson Philippe Sabourin, this timeline is based on historical data indicating that clearing 20 centimeters of snow typically requires four days.
Factors Affecting Cleanup
Several factors may influence the efficiency of the snow removal process. These include:
- Potential new snowfall
- Equipment malfunctions
- High numbers of vehicle tows
Recent weather conditions have resulted in varying snow accumulations across the city, ranging from 15 to 20 centimeters, as reported by Environment Canada. Additionally, strong winds may have contributed to the snowfall on flat rooftops, adding to the volume of snow needing removal.
Community Involvement
Residents are encouraged to support cleanup efforts by taking small daily actions. Sabourin advises people to:
- Clear sidewalks for easier passage
- Avoid placing white garbage bags on snowbanks, which can damage equipment
New Snow Management App
A new app called 311 Montreal will assist in tracking snow removal activities in real-time. This app replaces the older Info-Neige service and includes features that notify users of parking restrictions one hour in advance, allowing them to relocate their vehicles.
Cost of Snow Operations
Currently, Montreal has approximately 8,000 available free parking spaces. The average cost of snow removal is about one million dollars per centimeter of snow cleared, which implies this winter’s operation may approach 20 million dollars in expenses. The city allocates around 200 million dollars annually for snow management, highlighting the financial scale of these operations.
