Challenging start to winter road maintenance season

Tim Brody - Editor

With the area having received its first taste of snowy weather, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout said that even with all of its equipment ready to go for winter, the first snowfall of the season is always a challenge.
“The first snowfall is always challenging as the ground is not frozen yet so it makes it very difficult for the graders and plows to not dig into the surface treatment, gravel roads and shoulders which makes it a much slower process to get the roads cleared and to not damage equipment and roads.”
The Municipality further informed, “It may take a while for the frost to get into the ground and firm things up and make the plowing process faster.”
Asked about how plowing and snow removal in the municipality is prioritized, Municipal Public Works Operations Manager Mat Lelonde informed, “The first priority is the plowing of roads. Upon completion of plowing to a level that meets or exceeds the Minimum Maintenance Standards, we turn our attention to snow removal. The clearing of snowbanks will be completed throughout the Municipality, as in past years. Priority for snow clearing/removal is as follows: first, we focus on major arteries and other areas with high traffic volumes, as well as business areas; second, we focus on school zones and blind spots; third, we turn our attention to urban areas that may be hazardous due to blind spots in driveways, and where the narrowness of lanes threatens traffic congestion. Additionally, we also utilize our grader when the snowbanks are high as we “cut” the banks and push banks back further to help until we can get to the snow removal and make room for more snow storage for future snowfalls.”
He further shared, “We want to remind and ask for the public’s assistance in winter road maintenance by avoiding pushing snow from your driveway across the road. This often leaves small windrows, which harden quickly, and add to the roughness and unevenness of the road. In 2007, Council passed By-law No. 08-07, Being a By-law to Prohibit or Regulate the Use, Obstructing, Encumbering, Injury or Fouling of Municipal Properties in The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. This By-law, among other things, places restrictions on placing snow on Municipal roads and other property. Specifically, the By-law states:
5. WINTER RESTRICTIONS:
5.1 No person shall place, cause, or allow to be placed, any snow or ice from private property or from a boulevard onto the sidewalk, boulevard or traveled portion of any highway within the Municipality. 
5.2 No person shall plow, relocate or store snow or ice on a boulevard, highway or drainage ditch without the written approval of the Public Works Manager. 
5.3 In case of default of compliance with the foregoing, the Municipality through its officers, or any person acting under the jurisdiction of any Municipal officer, may clear and remove such snow and ice, and the expense incurred in so doing may be recovered by action, or the amount may be entered into the tax collector’s rolls and recovered in like manner as Municipal taxes.”
Winter Parking Restrictions are also now in effect within the Municipality and will be in place until April 15.
The Municipality shared, “That means no parking is allowed in the Downtown Core between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. The downtown core consists of Front Street from its intersection with Wellington St. easterly to Third Avenue, King Street from Seventh Avenue easterly to Third Avenue and encompassing avenues.
“On all other Municipal streets and laneways, no parking is allowed between the hours of Midnight and 7:00 a.m.”
“Thank you for doing your part to help crews with winter snow removal efforts throughout the winter months” the Municipality of Sioux Lookout added.