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Updated: Snow Update - Dec 20, 2022

Updated: 4:30 pm:

Crews will continue to clear roads moving away from emergency routes into Priority 2 and 3 routes - if snow accumulates, crews will return back to clearing emergency routes. We currently have 16 City plows, 1 backhoe and 2 contractor trucks out. We are expecting roads to still be slick tomorrow, so if you are able to, please consider staying home or using another method of transportation. 

Weather-wise, snow is supposed to stop on Wednesday, but start again on Thursday. Make sure you are prepared for another round of snow.

Winter weather is frustrating and inconvenient. We get it - and feel the same - and are making every effort to make sure your day can run better. City plow crews have been out all day and will continue to work to clear routes. Our sanitation department will do their best to collect on routes scheduled for tomorrow - stay tuned for status updates and see the Garbage and Recycling section below for more information and instructions. We will provide an update in the morning on Parks and Rec programs. Please remember to practice patience and kindness.

Updated 2:45 pm:

Flurries have begun and all City plows are out clearing in order of priority.

Drivers: if you have to be on the roads, please stick to the main roads and avoid hills on residential roads. Conditions could be slippery, and if you get stuck, it blocks plows from clearing the roads.

Residents and businesses: please do not clear snow from your driveways, parking lots and sidewalks onto the road. This can create slippery or unanticipated conditions for road users after the road has been cleared, and the plows will push it back to the curb.

If possible, please move your vehicles into the driveway. This will ensure that plows can safely get in and out of residential neighbourhoods. If we can’t do the job safely, we have to wait until the situation changes.

On the Roads

Drivers, be prepared for winter road conditions, particularly as temperatures drop. 

  • slow down,
  • give other vehicles lots of room,
  • have patience for other drivers,
  • make sure you vehicle is winter ready with winter-rated tires
  • clear the outside of your vehicle of snow and ice, and
  • pay extra attention for pedestrians and cyclists.

If you are walking and cycling, please make sure vehicles can see you by wearing high visibility clothing and, if possible, a light. Pedestrians, please make sure vehicles have come to a complete stop before you cross the street.

Please make sure to give City plows plenty of room to work as they may make wide right turns or other unexpected movements to clear snow and spread salt. 

Find more information on the City's response to Snow and Ice.

Garbage and Recycling

Due to current road conditions, the City’s curbside collection service is cancelled today. Please do not set your carts out. If your carts are already out, please bring them back in to allow room for plows.  

We recognize the inconvenience of missed collection and sincerely thank you for your patience. We are working to restore curbside collection as quickly and as safely as possible with the ever-changing forecast.

For residents with missed collections, the City will accommodate for extra recycling and garbage collection. Residents with missed recycling collection will be able to put extra recycling out on their next scheduled recycling collection day. Similarly, for missed garbage collection, residents will be able to put extra garbage out on their next scheduled garbage collection day.

Recyclables: When putting out extra recyclables on your next recycling day, please place them in an easy-to-empty reusable container or tote if possible, and place this 1 metre behind or beside your blue cart when you take it to the curbside for pickup. If a reusable container or tote is not available, a cardboard box may be used. The volume of extra recyclables put out must not exceed the capacity of the blue cart and the size of the container used must not be greater in width than the blue cart.

Garbage: When putting out extra garbage on your next garbage pickup day, please place your bag (up to two) 1 metre to the side or behind the black cart (not in front) and ensure that they are tied. An extra garbage bag cannot exceed 60 litres in capacity and must not weigh more than 25 lbs.

Residents who did not receive collection service and have limited storage capacity will be provided with a one-time free drop-off ticket for the Regional District of Nanaimo Landfill. Please send an email request to Public.WorksInfo@nanaimo.ca and include the following details:

Subject line:  Free Drop-off Request

Email Body:      Full Name
                       Home Address
                       Licence Plate of the vehicle making the drop-off at the landfill

The City continues to monitor road conditions and will be updating the City’s website and the Nanaimo Recycles app (available on Google Play and the Apple App Store). 

Stay up to date with Garbage and Recycling collection.

Parks and Recreation

11 am Update

All registered programs are cancelled for the day. 

The following facilities will be open for drop in programs and rentals:

  • Nanaimo Ice Centre
  • Cliff McNabb Arena
  • Beban Pool 
  • Bowen Complex (seniors programming will be cancelled on as needed basis based on staffing and volunteers availability)
  • Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Beban Park Weight Rooms
  • Frank Crane Arena   
  • Oliver Woods Community Centre (drop in pickleball going ahead as scheduled for 11am)
  • Beban Social Centre

    Please use caution in Nanaimo's parks. Trails, boardwalks, bridges, stairs and playground equipment can become slippery and hazardous when there is snow and ice.

    Stay up to date with Parks, Recreation and Culture.

    Around Your Home/Business

    Thank you to residents and businesses who have cleared sidewalks in front of their properties. 

    Please do your best to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of your property within 24 hours, so that pedestrians have a safe place to walk and can stay clear of oncoming traffic. Please do not shovel snow onto the road. If you know of someone who may need a helping hand, please reach out to them. 

    To help avoid flooding, please clear ice, snow, leaves and debris from catch basins and storm drains in front of your property.  

    The City will clear sidewalks around parks, bridges, commuter trails and major City facilities as quickly as staff can get to them.

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