Snow Clearing

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Snow Clearing 

We work diligently to keep our streets safe with annual snow clearing budget of approximately $1.9 million. Below outlines how we prioritize and manage snow clearing on city streets, sidewalks, and municipal properties.

City Streets

Arterial Roads

Within 4 Hours 

Roads like Fortune Drive, Columbia Street, and the Summit Connector carry the highest volume of traffic and are the first to receive attention. Our goal is to maintain bare wheel paths in one lane as long as possible during snow events and to regain bare wheel paths within 4 hours of the completion of a snow event.

Collectors and Bus Routes

Within 16 Hours 

Lethbridge Avenue, Springhill Drive, and Ord Road are examples of roads that receive second priority during and after snow events. Our goal is to maintain bare wheel paths in one lane as long as possible during a snow event and address these roads within 16 hours of the end of a snowfall. 

Residential Streets

Within 36 Hours 

Our goal is to sand or plow residential streets as necessary within 36 hours of the end of a snowfall. Residential streets are not returned to a bare pavement condition. As long as snow continues to fall, City crews will continue to address arterial roads for emergency vehicles and most traffic before moving onto the lower priority roads. 

Within each of the three categories above, priority will be given to hills over level streets.

Road Classification Map

Sidewalks

City crews try to plow snow off roadways without placing it onto sidewalks, but this still sometimes happens.

The City of Kamloops Road Right-Of-Way Bylaw requires that every owner or occupier of private property maintain all sidewalks adjacent to their property, to ensure sidewalks are free of accumulated snow and ice. In residential areas, it is required that snow and ice be removed each day in a timely manner after a snow fall. All other properties, including commercial properties, must have any accumulated snow and ice removed from the sidewalks before 10:00 am of every day except Sunday.

The cooperation of property owners/occupiers is appreciated to maintain and promote safe and accessible sidewalks, free of ice and snow for pedestrian travel during winter months.

The City dispatches plows to clear the sidewalks adjacent to most multi-lane arterial roads in the city. Crews will begin working on City-maintained sidewalks as soon as the snow starts falling and continue plowing as long as necessary.

The Civic Operations Department clears snow from the sidewalks adjacent to any City-owned properties, such as community centres, swimming pools, arenas, parking lots, parkades, pedestrian overpasses, and at the wheelchair crossing ramps in the downtown and Tranquille business areas after the snow accumulation reaches 2.5 cm (1 in.). Some walkways that link neighbourhoods are maintained, but only after the first priorities are completed and as time and manpower permit.

Sidewalk Snow Clearing Map

For further information on snow and ice removal requirements in the areas noted, please call: 

Downtown business area: 250-828-3406 

All other areas outside of downtown: 250-828-3409

City Properties

Kamloops Parks staff are responsible for maintaining snow and ice control on municipal properties. Municipal properties consist of public buildings, parks, community centres, and walkways.

Priorities for snow and ice control on municipal properties is governed by Council Policy PRS-13.

Snow Clearing Priorities Map

City streets are plowed on a priority basis, starting with arterial roads, followed by collectors and bus routes. Residential streets are only attended to once the other streets are cleared. This map shows the priority of streets within Kamloops, in an average snowfall event of 10 cm. 

Windrows and Shovelling Tips - Working Together Helps Everyone

Unfortunately, windrows are inevitable after a snowfall.

With the high number of driveways within the city, it would be very costly to add additional people and equipment to either clear windrows, or not leave them in the first place.

Windrow gates (which prevent plows from piling snow up at driveways) are most commonly found as attachments for graders - we use truck plows, not graders. These gates are also challenging in residential neighbourhoods where driveways are close together - they work best in more rural settings. Our Streets Department is researching gate attachments to work with our truck plows. 

It is the responsibility of homeowners to clear snow off sidewalks adjacent to their property, and to clear the windrow at the end of their driveway. 

You can reduce your windrow size, and help out our snow plow operators with the following tips:

  • Pile snow on the right side of your driveway (facing the road) when shovelling. This allows you to see any oncoming traffic as you back out and, when our plows go by, they won't drag your shovelled piles of snow back into your driveway.
  • Residents should also remove obstructions from the road that inhibit the plows from being able to do their job such as parked cars, hockey nets and basketball hoops. 
  • Shovel snow onto your property, as opposed to curbside or the roadway (The placing of snow on the travelled portion of the roadway contravenes the City's Road Right-Of-Way Bylaw. This regulation helps to ensure that potentially dangerous situations for motorists are avoided and the roadway is kept clear for emergency vehicles.) If there is less snow piled on the road or curbside, there will be less snow pushed into a windrow.

On garbage collection day, provide a clear path to your refuse container, and ensure the bins are clear of snow and ice. This will help avoid lifting injuries for the collectors.

What We Do: Snow Clearing Videos

Clearing Cul-de-sacs 

Clearing Cul-de-sacs

Snow Clearing          

Clearing WindrowsWhat We Clear          
Service Request

Place a service request regarding snow clearing, street signs or street lights, and other road concerns with our online tool:

Service Request

View Infographic

snow, snow removal

FAQ

Snow Clearing

Does the City clear sidewalks or other public walkways?

It is the responsibility of property owners to clear snow from the sidewalk(s) adjacent to their property. The City dispatches plows to clear the sidewalks adjacent to most multi-lane arterial roads in the city. Crews will begin working on City-maintained sidewalks as soon as the snow starts falling and continue plowing as long as necessary.

The Civic Operations Department clears snow from the sidewalks adjacent to any City-owned properties, such as community centres, swimming pools, arenas, parking lots, parkades, pedestrian overpasses, and at the wheelchair crossing ramps in the downtown and Tranquille business areas after the snow accumulation reaches 2.5 cm (1 in.). Some walkways that link neighbourhoods are maintained, but only after the first priorities are completed and as time and manpower permit.

For a complete list of the facilities maintained by the Parks and Civic Facilities Division, please call 250-828-3551 or view the map here. 

How do you forecast and prepare for snowfall and/or icy conditions?

The City operates four Road Weather Information System (RWIS) stations that include monitoring equipment for air temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed, and precipitation gauges. Each site also has several road sensor locations (City Centre, Aberdeen, Barnhartvale, and Westsyde) that monitor pavement temperature and wetness. All of the information gathered is analyzed in conjunction with weather forecasts to determine when and how to respond to upcoming freezing temperatures or the arrival of snow. Forecasting information is provided by a company specializing in this service. When a winter weather event is approaching, the company will call with advance warning prior to the arrival of the storm.

How is the snow clearing budget determined?

We budget for snow clearing on a 3-year average based on the previous 3 years. We have a reserve that accumulates when we're under, and covers us in years we go over. The budget has not changed significantly from year to year.

How many vehicles and operators does the City have for snow and ice control?

Monday to Friday (24-hour coverage): three 8-hour shifts of ten people with the ability to add staff from previous and upcoming shifts as required. Weekends: two 12-hour shifts of seven or eight people on standby who are expected to be at the Civic Operations Centre within 30 minutes of the initial call.

The City utilizes the following equipment for snow and ice control:

  • 14 sand trucks with blades
  • 2 liquid dispersal trucks
  • 2 graders
  • 2 sidewalk plows
  • 3 loaders (attachments include 3 standard buckets, 2 "V" plow buckets, 2 snowblowers attachments) 
  • 1 front end "V" plow pick up truck. 

I cannot handle the heavy snow load at the end of my driveway or the load that is pushed onto my sidewalk. What is my responsibility for snow removal, and who can help me clear this?

The crews strive to plow the snow off the travelled portion of the road and into the gutter and not place it on the adjacent sidewalk. Unfortunately, the reality is that this sometimes happens, especially during a very heavy snowfall. It is the responsibility of homeowners to clear the snow off the sidewalk adjacent to their property and to clear the windrow of snow at the end of their driveway.

If you do require assistance in shoveling your property, Snow Angels is a program where neighbourhood-based volunteers are paired with seniors or residents with limited mobility who need snow removed from their pathways, stairs, sidewalks, and driveways.

I live on a cul-de-sac, and our street always seems to be the last one cleared. Why is that?

Because of their shape and varying size, cul-de-sacs require specialized procedures and equipment that is not readily available during a snowfall, so they may not be attended to right away. The City maintains more than 500 cul-de-sacs. 

In heavy snowfall do you focus more on one zone over another?

If snow is falling evenly throughout the City, personnel are deployed evenly to work on their zone according to the priorities outlined above. If the storm is concentrated in one zone of the City and it is not snowing elsewhere, extra manpower can be used where it is most needed.

My neighbour pushes the snow onto the street, which makes driving slippery. What can be done about this?

It is against City bylaws to take the snow from your driveway and push it onto the public portion of the roadway. The extra piles of snow can create a driving hazard for passing motorists. Most people understand the rationale for this and comply once informed. For those citizens that continue to create this hazardous situation, a call to the Bylaw Services office at 250-828-3409 may be required.

What can businesses do to help?

Keep the sidewalks and bus stops adjacent to their properties cleared of snow and ice.

What can residents do to help?

Remove obstructions from the road that inhibit the plows from being able to do their job such as parked cars and basketball hoops. Do not push the snow from your driveway onto the road. As indicated above, it creates a hazardous situation for passing motorists, and when the snowplow does come around, the extra snow is going to end up in front of your driveway again. Pile snow on your property. On garbage collection day, provide a clear path to your refuse container. This will help avoid lifting injuries for the collectors.

It is also the responsibility of the homeowner to clear any bus pads (transit stops) adjacent to their properties. 

What if my street is missed?

Please call 250-828-3461 so that we can respond appropriately; however, please note that roads are sanded or plowed as necessary within 36 hours of the cessation of the storm.

What is snow pack?

Snow pack is hard-packed snow on a roadway that develops very quickly as vehicles travel on snow-covered roads. It is the condition that can be expected periodically on residential roads. Snow plows are not able to scrape off snow pack, as it is usually bonded to the pavement. Although bumpy at times, vehicles typically navigate snow pack quite easily.

What is the wet substance that the trucks spray on the pavement before it snows?

This is an anti-icing agent called magnesium chloride. The material is applied in advance of a snowstorm and helps prevent the compacted snow from bonding to the road. It is also used to prepare wet sand and salt before they are applied, which makes these materials stick to the road better in order to do their job.

What precautions can the elderly and infirm take when venturing outside in icy or snowy conditions?

  • Try to avoid areas of accumulated snow and ice until they have been treated.
  • Ask your health professional or medical supply store about walking aids or hip protectors.
  • Try the Snow Angels program if you need assistance with shovelling. 

When it snows for a long period of time, do you repeat clearing the priority areas before moving on to lower priorities?

Yes, the first priority is to keep the arterial roads open so that most traffic and emergency vehicles can move as needed.

Why can't the City remove the windrows they leave in my driveway? Or not leave them in the first place?

With the high number of driveways within the city, it would be very costly to add additional people and equipment to perform this service. 

Windrow gates (which prevent plows from piling snow up at driveways) are most commonly found as attachments for graders - we use truck plows, not graders. These gates are also challenging in residential neighbourhoods where driveways are close together - they work best in more rural settings. Our Streets Department is researching gate attachments to work with our truck plows. 

When shoveling your driveway, always pile the snow on the left side of the driveway (when facing the property). This will give you a better line of vision as you are exiting your driveway and the plows will not drag shoveled snow back across your driveway entrance.

Why doesn’t the City plow leaving the windrow in the centre of the lane, as opposed to the sides?

This is not a regular practice in Kamloops, but it has been done very occasionally in a heavy snowfall. With this technique the snow must be collected and hauled. Currently all snow is hauled back to the Public Works Yard, which fills up quickly. Hauling snow costs approximately $2,000 per hour.

City roads are also constructed with a crown in the centre which allows water to flow to the curb and down into our drainage system. Plowing to the center would create tremendous amounts of ice on the roadways as the snow would thaw and freeze across the road surface as it flows into the drainage system. It would be unsafe to create windrows in the centre of the road. 

Why would a truck plow drive with its blade up? If they are going by why wouldn’t they plow?

This is operator judgment. Each driver has a 'zone' they are responsible for, and they know the roads well and take pride in their work. If there are bumps in the road that would cause undue wear and tear on equipment and/or the asphalt, they will lift the blade in those sections. If built-up snow won't come off the road, it could cause damage to the equipment. They generally will have the sander on in these cases.