THUNDER BAY — The frequency of snowfalls in Thunder Bay this winter has created challenges for city crews trying to keep streets safe for motorists, and sidewalks safe for pedestrians.
It's also slowed the process of trimming back snowbanks encroaching on traffic lanes or blocking the view of drivers at intersections.
Ian Spoljarich, the acting Manager of Roads, said staff have been kept busy.
On Tuesday, two days after the latest significant snowfall in Thunder Bay, he said staff were still working hard to clear priority routes for streets and sidewalks, and would be out again Wednesday morning to deal with the aftermath of the snowfall that started Tuesday night.
Spoljarich said he expected that clearing of all the priority routes would be done by 7 a.m. Wednesday, after which crews would return to residential neighbourhoods.
He said residential streets should be completed by the end of the day on Thursday.
Snowbanks were tackled in the downtown cores a few weeks ago.
The completion of snowbank removal in residential areas and at intersections is scheduled to happen next.
"In some areas we're knocking them down. In some areas we're taking them out all together...just so there's better visibility," Spoljarich said.
But he added that the process is dependent on the weather.
"It's the same staff that clears the roads, so when we get a snow event we have to get them back to clearing roads and sidewalks. When they've done that, they go back to snowbank removal."
Spojarich said if warmer weather arrives, and snowbanks recede naturally, it will speed up the work, while more snow will slow it down.
Another complication arose last week when some staff were off work due to COVID-19 protocols, but everyone was back on the job on Tuesday.
