Nanaimo responds to winter weather

City reminds residents to use caution when out in the snow

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed December 28, 2021 3:30 PM

Summary

Nanaimo received between 18 and 24 inches of snow over the last four days, significantly more than typical for the City.

Roads:

Thank you for your patience during this winter weather event. Please continue to expect winter driving conditions and if you need to travel please ensure your vehicle is winter ready and equipped with winter tires. For further information please refer to our Snow and Ice Control webpage.

Snow Control Activities:

Crews have been out continuously since Christmas Eve maintaining priority 1 routes.
Local roads are packed with snow and winter driving conditions continue. Residents can expect local roads to have packed snow on driving surface for the foreseeable future as temperatures continue to be well below freezing. Please be prepared if you are going out.
Since the snow stopped accumulating last night, crews have moved into residential areas.
Please be patient as Crews work to service areas throughout the City.

Garbage, Recycling and Organics collection:

The City continues to monitor conditions to allow for the safe solid waste collection services. With current weather and ice conditions, delays and or adjustments to garbage collection schedules can be expected for at least Wednesday Dec 29. The City will be updating the City's website and the Nanaimo Recycles app

Link to Strategic Plan: Ensuring residents are prepared for the winter storm season supports a Liveable Community.

Key Points

During snow events, the City of Nanaimo focuses on maintaining good winter driving conditions in a priority order: Priority 1 routes - emergency routes and all major roads; Priority 2 routes - secondary roads; and Priority 3 routes - residential culs-de-sac and dead ends.
When snow plows and salt trucks are operating, drivers must keep back a safe distance and may not pass. To help plows clear a wider path on roads, residents can park in their driveways, or on even sides of the road on even days, and odd sides of the road on odd days.
When possible, residents are encouraged to stay home during times of heavy snow or icy roads.

Quotes

"Nanaimo received the white Christmas we wish for, and our snow-fighting crews in Parks and Public Works have been working around the clock since Christmas eve to deal with the significant accumulation. I want to thank Nanaimo residents for their patience and avoiding unnecessary travel, leaving space for essential services to get through and the roads to be cleared. First responder emergency routes are the highest priority. Once those are cleared and the snow stops falling, crews are able to move into residential neighbourhoods. I wish all Nanaimoites the best of the season."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

Stewart Avenue, Brechin Road, the Nanaimo Parkway (Highway 19) and the old Island Highway (19A), Pearson Bridge south and Brechin Rd north are maintained by the BC Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure. Please report any concerns or issues to 1-877-215-6006 or email midisland@mainroad.ca.
Nanaimo's Roads and Traffic Services is responsible for maintaining approximately 1,100 lane kms of paved streets, and nearly 800 cul-de-sacs.
Salt is only effective at melting ice down to -6 degrees Celsius. Brine (liquid salt solution) is used to prevent icing as well as preventing snow and ice from bonding to the road surface.

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Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

John Elliot

Public Works

City of Nanaimo

250-758-5222

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