City of Chilliwack has posted some winter operations information and handy weather links as another storm approaches.
As usual snow and ice removal in Chilliwack will be based on four priority classifications.
Curious about the priority of your road? Check it here.
Chilliwack roads are categorized into four priority classifications based on traffic volume, emergency response needs, hillside access, and other safety issues.
“Roads are cleared and maintained as resources are available and in strict priority order.”
When the Priority 1 and 2 roads are cleared enough for safety, crews respond next to Priority 3, which are the local connector roads and local roads of significance. Priority 4 roads, which are the residential or local streets on the valley floor, only ever get plowed when everything else is passable, and plowing resources can be freed up to respond.
Here is what city officials said in 2019 after a snowstorm about the chances of seeing a local street plowed: “Snow and ice control will not be carried out on local/residential roads unless resources are available, and this is at the discretion of the Director of Operations, or designate.”
Snow and ice removal from sidewalks is always the responsibility of the nearest property owner and/or tenant.
“The goal of snow and ice control operations is to improve driving conditions as much as possible during prevailing winter weather, roads are not cleared down to bare pavement conditions.”
Environment Canada has the latest weather alerts, which on Tuesday included warning of freezing rain and snow coming with the latest system.
The winter storm descending on the Fraser Valley and area highways starting Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 21) is bringing hazardous conditions with heavy snow and prolonged freezing rain.
A freezing rain alert was issued before 6 a.m. Tuesday from Environment Canada, in addition to calling for heavy snow from the winter storm system moving in.
“Frigid outflow winds pouring out of the B.C. interior will allow surface temperatures to remain below freezing. As a result a prolonged period of freezing rain is forecast.”
Check DriveBC for the status of provincial highways.
“To report an urgent Operations concern over the weekend, please call the after-hours emergency number: 604-792-2233.”
RELATED: Some roads eyed for higher priority ratings
RELATED: Freezing rain, snow coming Tuesday night
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