The City of Steinbach has had to bring out its snow clearing equipment in the past week thanks to a couple of snow falls. Randy Reimer, head of Public Works, says they did a bit of clearing late last week and are now doing a city wide clean-up. He adds they are going a little slower than normal and explains why.

"We have to be a little careful. Some of it is slushy stuff and we don't want to leave a big ice ridge in everybody's driveway. We're trying to clear the driveways as well as we're going along but we also have to be a little careful too because, with the warm temperatures, there's no frost and all the grass and sod and everything like that isn't frozen yet. We just have to be a bit careful so we've slowed it down a bit."

He expects they will finish on Friday.

The City of Steinbach has posted the following notice about snow clearing operations:

Here are some of the actions and responsibilities residents can practice to ensure safe and efficient snow removal service: 

  • Report icy roads, intersections, or sidewalks to the Public Works Department by calling 204-346-6211 or e-mail transportation@steinbach.ca.
  • Residents are required to keep parked vehicles off of all city streets until such time that streets can be cleared.
  • Do not park on streets that have signage indicating there will be snow removal from the boulevards within the next 24 hours.
  • Do not park vehicles on driveways in such a way that they block any part of the sidewalk to ensure clear passage for the sidewalk plow.
  • Truck tractors and trailers (including construction, trade or recreational trailers) should not be parked on a street for longer than two hours, unless the vehicle in question is parked for use by a tradesman working on premises in the immediate area.
  • Equipment operators need considerable space to maneuver. As a motorist or pedestrian, make sure equipment operators are aware of you prior to crossing behind or near them.
  • Stay back at least 50 feet from graders and sanding equipment.
  • Pedestrians and cyclists should wear reflective clothing and ensure they are highly visible to all traffic. Cyclists should always ride in the same direction as traffic. Pedestrians should always walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic.
  • Wearing earphones or winter headgear can inhibit your hearing or peripheral vision. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings.
  • Parents should talk to their children about building snow forts and tunnels in or sliding on snow piles in cul de sacs, on boulevards, and any other areas where snow removal takes place. Ensure children know to stay at least 50 feet away from operating equipment.
  • Property owners are responsible for clearing windrows from driveways as street clearing operations are in progress; The City does remove all windrows when snow accumulation warrants.
  • Snow from private property must be removed from the site or stored on the property. Pushing or depositing snow from private property onto public roadways or sidewalks is not allowed.
  • Residents are responsible for cleaning up after the sidewalk plow completes its pass. This should be done regularly to avoid snow build up that may hinder driveway and property access as well as future snow clearing operations.