Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 (Halifax, NS) – Municipal winter operations crews are preparing to address challenging conditions beginning later today and into the overnight hours, as a result of a significant winter storm headed towards the Halifax region.
Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning in anticipation of a weather system that will create potentially hazardous winter conditions, with upwards of 20 to 30 cm of snow accumulation expected, in combination with ice pellets and gusty winds.
Streets and sidewalks have been prepped with salt and liquid brine, and winter operations crews are on standby to respond to changing weather conditions as necessary.
The overnight winter parking ban will be enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., Friday, Feb. 10. Vehicles must be off-street during these hours or they will be subject to ticketing and towing. Residents are also reminded that vehicles impeding snow clearing operations can be ticketed and towed at any time under S. 139 of the Motor Vehicle Act. It is critical that vehicles are removed from streets and sidewalk areas during the parking ban to allow crews to properly clear snow and maintain vehicular and pedestrian travel ways.
Significant wind gusts accompanying the snowfall are expected to create challenging conditions with reduced visibility for winter operations crews and other motorists. Residents are encouraged to stay home during the storm where possible, so crews can safely maintain priority and emergency routes.
Residents are also advised to remove any obstructions such as sports nets, garbage bins, planters, and other moveable objects, away from the curb and sidewalk areas, to allow safe and efficient snow clearing.
Winter Operations crews request assistance from residents on the above-noted actions as the municipality prepares for another snow storm expected to affect the Halifax region this weekend.
Municipal service impacts
Curbside collection of garbage, recycling and green carts has been cancelled for Friday, Feb. 10, in anticipation of challenging road and travel conditions on Friday morning. Those residents who normally have garbage, recycling or green cart collection on Friday will instead receive collection on Saturday, Feb. 11. A reminder that materials should be placed curbside no later than 7 a.m. to ensure pick-up.
The following solid waste management facilities will also be closed on Friday, Feb. 10, due to the winter storm:
• Otter Lake Waste Processing & Disposal Facilities, 600 Otter Lake Drive
• Materials Recycling Facility at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive
• Composting facilities at 80 Gloria McCluskey Avenue, Burnside and 61 Evergreen Place, Goodwood.
The above-noted solid waste facilities will be open for regular (weekday) operating hours on Saturday, Feb. 11.
The Household Special Waste (HSW) Depot located in Bayers Lake will be closed on Saturday, Feb. 11. The depot will reopen for regular hours on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A number of recreation facilities, including arenas, will close early this evening, and will not reopen until 8:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 10. Please call ahead to your individual facility to confirm the status of tonight’s programs and services. A further update on the status of recreation facilities and programs will be issued tomorrow at 7 a.m.
For the most up-to-date information on potential Halifax Transit service delays and detours during and after the winter storm event, follow @hfxtransit on Twitter or visit www.twitter.com/hfxtransit.
For information on weather-related impacts on any municipal program or service, follow @hfxgov on Twitter, visit www.halifax.ca/snow/update.php or contact 311.
The municipality thanks residents in advance for their cooperation; for regular updates throughout the storm and ensuing clean-up operations, visit www.halifax.snow.
Source: Release
