The City of Corner Brook has experienced heavy rain, wind, freezing, and snowfall within the last 48 hours. City crews and contracted crews are working hard to clear as many streets as possible before we receive additional snow, but may not be able to clear all side roads without delay. In an order of priority, the primary focus of city crews and equipment will be on emergency mains and collector roads, and to minimize any flood risks.

The City of Corner Brook Public Works Division is committed to keeping all roads within the City safe and passable before, during, and after every weather event. All winter snow and rain events are different and ideal pavement conditions cannot always be achieved during the winter months.

Streets and Sidewalks

Sidewalks and roads are extremely slippery; please proceed with caution as conditions are changing rapidly. Plans to sand side road and sidewalks are being executed throughout the day and upcoming week.

The City is experiencing a number of potholes, which are common when a series of freeze-thaw cycles occur. Crews are working to repair the potholes as quickly as possible.

Rivers and streams are already at higher than normal levels due to rainfall, please exercise caution.

We ask the general public to stay a safe distance from snow clearing equipment and city vehicles. Motorists should be cautious while driving during snow melting and heavy rainfall; please slow down to minimize the potential to hydroplane. Motorists should also give themselves extra time to arrive to their destination, as unexpected street flooding might force traffic detours.

Winter parking restrictions are still in effect. These restrictions are necessary in order to ensure snow clearing activities can be completed in a safe and effective manner. On-street parking delays our ability to efficiently plow our streets and is a safety concern.

Residents should ensure they are prepared for potential power outages or other emergency situations. Flashlights with extra batteries, food, and other staples are important to have on hand.

Zones

• The City’s streets and roads are divided into 7 main zones, a small road route and city parking areas. Each zone is covered by 1 or 2 plows depending on their size and complexity. Under normal conditions it takes approximately 12 hours to completely plow each route. During heavy snow or rain events the primary streets may have to be plowed more frequently, thereby extending the time to complete the secondary and residential roads.

Contacts

If there is a medical emergency, please call 911.

Residents can report localized flooding or trees blocking roads to the Customer Service Line: 709-637-1666. Sand and sandbags can be requested through the customer service line.

The City of Corner Brook would like to thank you for your cooperation and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. Residents can call the City of Corner Brook’s Water Information Line at 634-7711 or visit the City’s official website, www.cornerbrook.com, at any time to view current boil water advisories, water outages and road closures.

Learn more

Alerts for: Corner Brook and vicinity: https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?nl14

Emergency Preparedness: Your emergency preparedness guide: Is your family prepared for 72 hours? https://www.gov.nl.ca/fes/emo/72hourguide.pdf

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bonita Decaire
Information Officer | City of Corner Brook
709-637-1662 | bdecaire@cornerbrook.com

February 6, 2018: For Immediate Release

12:45 p.m.

Backgrounder:

The City’s streets and roads are divided into 7 main zones and 4 priorities for snow clearing. Priorities are established to provide the greatest assistance to the majority of the travelling public.

Criteria for setting priorities:

1.Emergency Routes-mains and collectors roads

2.Major routes and School Bus routes

iii. Traffic Volume

1.Road classification

2.Special conditions (roadway geometry and terrain; drift exposure; drainage; etc.)

Priority One: Emergency Routes-mains and collectors roads. All efforts will stay on Priority one routes until it has stopped snowing and/or they are cleared.

Priority Two: Streets

• The snow equipment starts on the main roads and school zones first and then move to the side streets. Each zone is covered by 1 or 2 plows depending on their size and complexity.
• Under normal conditions it takes approximately 12 hours to plow each route after the snow has stopped falling.
• During heavy snow events the primary streets may have to be plowed more frequently, thereby extending the time to complete the secondary and residential roads.
• Priority is given to streets based on traffic volume although some streets in industrial areas are exceptions to the traffic volume standard.
• Priority is given to traffic light intersections.

Priority Three includes all other local roads, including snow clearing and/or sanding of all bus areas.

Priority Four: After the roads are plowed then attention is focused on clearing sidewalks.

An ongoing assessments of City’s sidewalks may result in some sidewalks being given a lower or higher priority for the purposes of snow and ice removal.

February 6, 2018: For Immediate Release

1:05 p.m.