Snowy Streets 101: Yorkton Snow Clearing Guide
Winter has arrived, and with it comes the beauty of snow-covered landscapes. However, as the City of Yorkton transforms into a winter wonderland, it's essential to ensure that our streets remain safe and accessible for all residents. That's where our dedicated snow-clearing team steps in, and we're excited to help you understand and appreciate our city's snow-clearing processes.
The big picture: Yorkton has 172 KM of roads to plow when the snow falls, this is the same distance from Yorkton to Regina.
Snow Clearing priority in brief:
- Highways & main roads. (2 inches) 1st Priority Map
- Collector streets. (2 inches) 2nd Priority Map
- Residential streets by zones that are followed according to curbside pickup. (4 inches) Residential Map
- Back lanes - Only those used for primary access to properties. (6 inches)
For more details about the city's snow clearing check our snow policy.
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Residential Snow Clearing
After clearing priority streets, our city employees focuses on residential streets, following a zone-base schedule, coordinated with curbside pickup. Residential Map
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The big picture: The city has established two primary snow removal route areas
- The Blue Routes: Encompass the downtown business district
- The Red Routes: Cover the main arterial streets citywide
The parking ban is in force for 72 hours. BLUE AREA is in force from 11 P.M to 7 A.M
Note: Failure to relocate vehicles during a snow route ban may result in fines & towing
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Plowing Snow, Sanding & Salting, Snow Removal - January 3, 2025
Today, January 3rd 2025, we will be carrying out some spot plowing of 1st and 2nd priority streets, ice control, and finish cleaning up the school zones before school starts next week.
The 1st priority Highways have been completed.
Snow Removal Map 1st Priority Streets
Snow Removal Map 2nd Priority StreetsWe appreciate your patience and collaboration during these operations. Our team is dedicated to swiftly and safely managing the snow. When you encounter work zones, please remember to slow down or consider alternate routes—a proactive approach to ensure everyone's safety.
Together, with your cooperation, we can expedite the snow removal process to create a safer environment for all community members.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and support.
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Snow Removal 1st & 2nd Priority Streets
Starting Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 8:00am, we will be working on spot plowing of priority red streets, ice control and snow removal from school zones before school starts next week.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
Snow Removal 1st Priority Streets
Snow Removal 2nd Priority MapAs the snow is being cleared, sanding and salting operations will follow.
If it is below (-20°C) salting will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
If it is above (-20°C), sanding will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
City employees thank everyone for their patience and kindness as we work together to clean all of this snow. When you see a work zone, please remember to slow down or take an alternate route.
Please remember our crews are doing the best they can to remove snow in a timely manner. Cooperation from residents not only helps the process move along faster, but creates a safe environment for everyone!
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Residential Snow Clearing - Zone 2 - December 13, 2024
Roadway crews will be in the Residential Zone 2 area beginning Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7:00 A.M. starting with
1. main residential roads and streets
2. followed by cul-de-sacs and bays.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
Please note: Equipment may move to another zone without notice and return at a later date.
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Residential Snow Clearing - Zone 4 – December 12, 2024 at 11:00 P.M.
Roadway crews will be in the Residential Zone 4 area beginning Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 11:00 P.M. starting with
1. main residential roads and streets
2. followed by cul-de-sacs and bays.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
This has been triggered because there is a 4'' (10 cm) of accumulated snow on the street in your area.
Please note: Equipment may move to another zone without notice and return at a later date.
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Residential Snow Clearing - Zone 3 – December 11, 2024 at 11:00 P.M.
Roadway crews will be in the Residential Zone 3 area beginning Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 11:00 P.M. starting with
1. main residential roads and streets
2. followed by cul-de-sacs and bays.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
This has been triggered because there is a 4'' (10 cm) of accumulated snow on the street in your area.
Please note: Equipment may move to another zone without notice and return at a later date.
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Snow Plowing 2nd Priority Streets – December 10, 2024, at 7:30 A.M.
Roadway crews will be clearing the 2nd Priority Streets beginning today, Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7:30 A.M.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
As the snow is being cleared, sanding and salting operations will follow.
If it is below (-20°C) salting will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
If it is above (-20°C), sanding will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
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Snow Route Parking Ban Red & Blue Routes – December 9, 2024 at 11:00 P.M.
A Snow Route Parking Ban has been declared starting December 9, 2024 at 11 P.M. for the Red & Blue (Downtown Core) Routes.
Remember: Fines may be issued if vehicles are not moved during a Snow Route Parking Ban.
The Red Routes, are enforced with a 72 hour parking ban to enable snow to be cleared quickly and efficiently.
No
Parking signs with Red Squares are posted on sections of the following streets to mark the Red Snow Routes.- Lakeview Rd., Circlebrooke Dr., Parkview Rd.
- Allanbrooke Dr., Bradbrooke Dr.
- Gladstone Ave., Independent St.
- Wellington Ave., Myrtle Ave., Fifth Ave. S.
- Darlington St., Russell Dr.
- Mayhew Ave., Hamilton Rd.
- 4th Ave. N. from Smith St. to York Rd.
The Blue Route area, which encompasses the downtown area, is in force for 72 hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. This means that during the day parking is permitted in the downtown area to allow businesses to continue to operate on a normal basis.
No Parking signs with Blue Squares are posted on sections of the following streets to mark the Blue Snow Route.- Broadway St. from Laurier Ave. to Dracup Ave.
- Argyle St., Livingstone St.
- Betts, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Avenues between Broadway St. and Smith St.
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Snow Plowing - 1st Priority Streets - December 9, 2024, at 7 A.M.
Roadway crews will be clearing the 1st Priority Streets beginning Monday, December 9, 2024, at 7 A.M. starting with highways, then arterial thoroughfares.
Crews will also be salting and sanding the streets and clearing city-owned sidewalks.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
This has been triggered because there is 2” (5 cm) of accumulated snow on the street.
As the snow is being cleared, sanding and salting operations will follow.
- If it is below (-20°C) salting will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
- If it is above (-20°C), sanding will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
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Residential Snow Clearing - Zone 4 & 2 – November 29, 2024 at 11:00 P.M.
Roadway crews will be in the Residential Zone 4 & 2 area beginning Friday, November 29, 2024, at 11:00 P.M. starting with
1. main residential roads and streets
2. followed by cul-de-sacs and bays.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
This has been triggered because there is a 4'' (10 cm) of accumulated snow on the street in your area.
Please note: Equipment may move to another zone without notice and return at a later date.
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Residential Snow Clearing - Zone 4 – November 28, 2024 at 11:00 P.M.
Roadway crews will be in the Residential Zone 4 area beginning Thursday, November 28, 2024, at 11:00 P.M. starting with
1. main residential roads and streets
2. followed by cul-de-sacs and bays.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
This has been triggered because there is a 4'' (10 cm) of accumulated snow on the street in your area.
Please note: Equipment may move to another zone without notice and return at a later date.
FAQs
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Snow FAQs
- Who is responsible for clearing sidewalks located in proximity to schools or within school zones?
- What is the rationale behind the City’s decision not to undertake hauling snow from residential streets?
- What is the City’s policy regarding the clearing of sidewalks, and why are not all sidewalks cleared?
- What are the reasons behind the City’s decision not to employ signage to provide residents with a 24-hour notice before street cleaning operations?
- Why does the City hire contractors for snow removal, particularly considering the presence of new infrastructure? Shouldn’t the City have sufficient equipment and manpower to independently manage snow removal operations?
- What is the rationale behind the City’s decision to conduct residential street cleaning operations during nighttime hours?
- How do I avoid possible damage to my property from snow plows?
- Why are some of the pathways cleared before the main streets?
- What is the City’s strategy for deploying snow fences to mitigate the drifting of snow onto the streets, and are there plans to increase their usage?
- Despite my efforts to maintain a clear sidewalk around my property, I have observed that the City’s snow plows deposit snow onto it after I’ve cleaned it. Could you please explain the reasoning behind this practice?
- Following the City’s street plowing, I’ve encountered a substantial ridge in my driveway. Is there a protocol in place for the City to address and clear such ridges?
- I have observed that intersections remain unsanded despite my arrival to work. Could you please elucidate the method employed for determining the prioritization of sanding locations?
- Are all back lanes cleared after every snow fall? How do you determine which areas are a priority?
- To whom does the responsibility for maintaining cleanliness on the sidewalks in front of businesses fall?
- What is the rationale behind the City depositing snow onto my lawn, and what measures are taken to minimize its impact on the lawn’s condition?
- Why does my small local street always seem to be the last street to get plowed?
- Who is responsible for clearing snow at the intersections of Highway 9 and Broadway, as well as Highway 9 and York Road? is it the jurisdiction of the City or the Highways department?
- What is the rationale behind the limited application of sanding and salting on sidewalks, and what factors dictate their usage?
- Who is responsible for the maintenance of pedestrian pathways, and who oversees the upkeep of sidewalks?
- What specific rules decide when to use snow hauling instead of plowing high snowbanks on residential streets?
- How can I help prevent street flooding from melting ice and snow?
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Bylaw Fast Facts - Snow
