'Tis the season for snow in Portage la Prairie, and the city's Public Works Department is ready to put plow to pavement.

Manager Brian Taylor says standards in place with regards to regular snowfall stipulate after an accumulation of 10 cm of snow, city crews begin being sent out to clear streets. He says major snowfall events — 10 cm or more at once — require a different response.

"Our standards stipulate that we have to go out within 48 hours," Taylor explains. "For example, if it's happened on a Friday, come Monday morning we're required to get out and get all the streets done."

Taylor says snow clearing always begins with priority routes: streets that lead to major amenities, downtown, hospitals, clinics and schools. "These priority streets are done in no particular order," he explains.

For snowfall events that amount to more than 10 cm, but do not exceed 20 cm: Taylor says crews clear priority streets first, and residential routes are to be done within 96 hours. Any parking lots the city is responsible for are cleared within 36 hours.

"If we have a snowfall event that's over 20 cm," Taylor says. "Then crews would try to work a double-shift to try and get everything done as quickly as possible."

RESIDENTS RESPONSIBILITIES

The City of Portage la Prairie reminds blowing, shovelling or pushing snow onto city streets is prohibited.

"The by-law states no one is allowed, whether it's snow or anything else, to push anything out onto the street that can cause undue safety concerns," Taylor says. "If you're pulling private snow out, the city will provide a location to have it hauled too."

In terms of sidewalk clearing, Taylor says the city has a list it looks after — mainly those with access major amenities much like the priority routes for snow clearing.

"Other than that, businesses are required to maintain sidewalks," he says. "And residents as well."

Parking on city streets is prohibited the day after garbage removal, Taylor notes, when routine snow removal occurs. "The same goes winter or summer, the day after garbage day there is a parking ban for certain areas to in order to allow the city to either clear snow, or sweep streets in the summer."

The Public Works manager adds weekly snow removal only occurs if it's required, allowing department resources to be allocated elsewhere if streets are in good driving condition.