If you have any questions or concerns, please
call the Complaints Officer at the Works Depot at 637-1666.
What is ice control services?
Ice Control is the process of deicing City streets by way of spreading a
deicing compound or abrasive such as salt and sand to provide a safe driving
surface for motorists. Ice control may be required as a result of freezing
conditions coupled with precipitation, daylight melting of snow on the ground,
snow clearing or snow removal operations in progress or other natural or
unnatural condition. Different de-icing materials such as pure salt, sand or
calcium chloride may be used for ice control depending on the temperature at
the time.
What is snow removal service?
Snow removal operations involve the removal of snow from City streets by
way of truck or heavy equipment to provide for additional snow storage. The
only area from which we regularly remove snow is the Central Business District
comprising West Street, Main Street and Broadway. Due to space restrictions in
cul-de-sacs we plow snow during our normal snow clearing, and remove this pile
as time and equipment becomes available. Snow removal operations are carried
out at during periods of relatively small snowfall when we do not have to
clear snow from residential streets. Removal operations are time consuming and
expensive operations and are only undertaken when absolutely necessary. We
attempt to carry out snow removal operations during a night shift. Please note
that the City does not carry out snow removal from residential areas.
Why is my street always the last to be plowed?
The City has six snow plow routes with all streets plowed in order of
priority. Collector streets are plowed first, followed by secondary and
residential streets. In extreme weather conditions, plow operators are
instructed to stay on the designated route schedule until such time as they
may be instructed to start at the beginning of the schedule again in order to
keep the main roads open, in order to ensure that they are kept open and
emergency services are maintained. In such circumstances, residential streets
may not see a plow for an extended period. These situations are the exception
and we ask for your patience. The City gives a preference to roads which have
school zones and routes followed by school buses. Sometimes, during periods of
heavy snow, we have to divert plows off their normal schedule to make bus
routes passable prior to schools opening in the mornings. Once the school
areas are clear the plows normally revert back where they left off on their
scheduled routes.
It seems that every time I shovel my driveway I am plowed in again. Why
is this?
When plowing, we have to clear the streets as wide as possible to make
room for the next snowfall and to clear catch basins located at the curb line
to take water in the event of rain or a thaw. Often two or more passes are
needed to accomplish this. Whenever possible, you should wait and shovel your
driveway after the street has been completely widened to avoid this
frustration.
Why can't the City remove snow that is pushed into my driveway?
There are approximately 8,000 driveways in Corner Brook. The cost of removing
snow from each one would be enormous.
My neighbour parks his vehicle in such a way that the street cannot be
widened to its full extent at my driveway entrance. What can I do about this?
We have to plow around parked vehicles and this can create a problem at the
entrance to a driveway. If your neighbour's vehicle is moved after your street
has been plowed, we will make an effort to return to your area and widen the
street. If the vehicle is not moved for an extended period of time, call
637-1666 and a Foreman will visit the area to decide whether or not the
vehicle should be towed away.
Why doesn't the City just tow illegally parked cars from my street when
you're plowing?
The City contracts tow trucks to remove abandoned vehicles which are
creating serious problems for plowing. Our first concern is to open emergency
lanes on all streets. The resources to tow away all parked vehicles are not
available, but those vehicles hampering operations for an extended period of
time will be towed. Generally "No Parking" restrictions are in place
on all City streets during the snow clearing season which generally runs from
mid November to mid April.
Why have I never seen a sidewalk plow clearing the sidewalk where I
live?
The City has one sidewalk plow. Because of this, we must use it to keep
designated sidewalks clear - those in the downtown area generally get
priority. The City generally tries to keep sidewalks near schools open for the
use of children walking to school. Loaders and heavier snow blowers may be
used to accomplish this task.
What are the hours of the dump?
Residents can bring their bulk items to the Wild Cove Sanitary Landfill on
the North Shore Highway. There is no charge to citizens of Corner Brook for
residential dumping. Hours
of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The landfill site
is closed on Sundays and all Statutory Holidays. For more information call the
Complaints Officer at the Works Depot at 637-1666.
Who is responsible for the Traffic Lights in the City?
The Engineering Division of the Operational Services Department is
responsible for the maintenance and installation of all traffic lights and
associated equipment. If you observe a traffic signalization problem such as a
red light out at an intersection, please contact the Complaints Officer at the
Works Depot at 637-1666.
Who is responsible for Traffic Sign Production and Maintenance?
The Works Division of the Department of Operational Services is
responsible for the production, purchase and installation and maintenance of
all temporary and permanent traffic signs as well as parking, general and
facility signage, and the construction signage used by City work crews. If you
observe a traffic signage problem such as a stop sign knocked over, please
contact the Complaints Officer at the Works Depot at 637-1666.
Who carries out the Street and Sidewalk Maintenance?
Maintenance of sidewalks and streets is performed by the Work's Division's
work crews throughout the year in response to emergency calls or hazardous
situations. The scheduled maintenance season for ongoing work generally
extends from late May to late September. The activities include; Asphalt
maintenance- includes all asphalt related work including cutting out and
repairing street sections, pothole repair, water and sewer related repair and
parking lot maintenance for City owned facilities. Ditching-includes annual
maintenance and the improvement or creation of new road side ditches to
provide for the collection of rain water from road surfaces preventing
flooding of traffic lanes and adjacent properties. The repair and replacement
of culverts is also included under this activity. Grading - provides for the
regular maintenance of dirt roads and unpaved shoulders to provide a smooth
and safe driving surface and provide for the positive drainage of water from
the road surface to the road side ditch network. Sidewalk maintenance-includes
new installation and repair of existing concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter.
Maintenance is scheduled on a priority basis with hazardous situations being a
first priority. Large maintenance projects are generally deferred to capital
works budgets. Temporary repair of concrete sidewalks with asphalt may occur
during the winter months or at the end of a season to remove immediate hazards
Who is responsible if I drive into a pothole?
Due to frost action during the Winter months potholes can develop at any
time, and pothole formation is beyond the control of the City. Once a pothole
is reported, the City will respond by marking the pothole with a barricade
until such time as the hole can be filled with an acceptable material as soon
as possible. Provincial legislation restricts the City to liability only when
the City is negligent. Should you be aware of a pothole that could cause
damage please immediately contact the Complaints Officer at the Works Depot at
637-1666.
Who is responsible for Street Excavations?
All work performed on City streets resulting in the cutting of the asphalt
surface, curb or sidewalk requires a Street Excavation Permit. Permits are
issued to qualified contractors upon inspection of the site and determination
of the appropriate security deposit. Work may be scheduled to avoid undue
interference with traffic and must be performed in accordance with City and
Provincial safety standards. Permits may be obtained from the Engineering
Division of the Operational Services Department. Security deposits are held
for a period of one (1) year and are returned upon the issuing of a
certificate of total performance. During the year contractors may be required
to effect repair of the work at the direction of the Engineering Division, or
where the work is not carried out by the contractor within reasonable time the
City may effect repair and deduct its cost from the security deposit
What do I do if I see sewer overflow?
If you see a sewer emergency, such as sewage overflowing manholes, please
call the Complaints Officer at the Works Depot at 637-1666, twenty four hours
a day. After hours the phone line will be answered by the Fire Department, who
will pass the information on to the appropriate foreman.
What do I do if I have a sewer service back-up?
If there is a back-up of only one plumbing fixture in your house, then the
problem is likely an internal plumbing blockage. This is not the City's
responsibility. Please call your plumber. If there is more than one plumbing
fixture affected, the problem could be caused by a number of factors. These
include:
- Blockage of service lateral.
- Blockage of internal plumbing.
- Backup of street sewer into the house.
If you experience a sewer back-up on more than one fixture, please call the
Complaints Officer at the Works Depot at 637-1666.
What do I do if I have a flooded basement?
A flooded basement could be caused by a malfunctioning sump pump or a storm
service backup under flooding conditions. If you experience a storm sewer
back-up, please call the Complaints Officer at the Works Depot at 637-1666.
What do I do if I have a frozen water line?
Some buildings in the City experience frozen water lines in their water
services during the Winter months. The City is not responsible to thaw out
such water lines, but has acquired a C.S.A. approved electric thawing machine
for use in such circumstances. There is a $100 fee for this service for
residential properties. The City is generally successful in thawing frozen
lines, but sometimes conditions prohibit use of the electric thawing machine.
In such instances the City has a number of hot water machines available for
rent which may be used by the resident to attempt to thaw out their water
service. Residents who have experienced a previous freeze up are encouraged to
allow one faucet to run a small amount of water during the Winter months. If
you experience a frozen water line please contact the Complaints Officer at
the Works Depot at 637-1666.
