The City of Owen Sound says their road clearing crews are ready for this weekend’s winter storm.
Matt Prentice, who is the Manager of Public Works, says that they’ve done the final checks on their equipment, and the staff is ready to go.
Environment Canada is calling for a “crippling blizzard” over the weekend, and the organization has also advised against any road travel in the storm.
In the event you do have to travel within Owen Sound, Public Works will be clearing the roads as quickly and efficiently as they can.
“We’re preparing by stockpiling salt, checking our equipment, [and] making sure we have staff ready for overtime, which is unfortunate for them this weekend, obviously,” says Prentice, adding “It’s supposed to snow right through Monday, so we have to be ready for that.”
He’s also warning about general road safety. “If a road is closed, don’t drive on it, because you will not be covered under insurance. We will be doing priority roads and the hills ahead of time. Side streets and cul-de-sacs may not see the plows as soon as those other locations.”
Prentice is also warning not to park on the road because it impedes the snow plows trying to clear the way.
He adds that it’s also a bad idea when clearing snow off your walkways and driveway to put that snow onto the road. He says “In fact, if you put [the snow] out too far, and make a lump out there on the road and someone hits it and causes an accident, you could be held liable for that.”
As a reminder, the Highway Traffic Act states:
Deposit of snow on roadway
181. No person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission in writing so to do from the Ministry or the road authority responsible for the maintenance of the road. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 181.
Prentice says that if anyone needs to be on the roads, they need to use common sense.
“This is a bad weekend for a bad storm, obviously. People want to go see their families, but don’t drive dangerous roads, or dangerous highways, or closed highways — certainly don’t do that. Use common sense. Be smart, be patient, be safe.”
