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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General Snow Clearing Update - April 1st, 2024
Easter weekend brought a little bit of snow and the roadway crews had started snow clearing since March 29, 2024, at 11 P.M.
They started with 1st Priority - Highways and Arterial thoroughfares, downtown core, and spot plowing.
Today April 1st, 2024, at 7 A.M. roadway crews will continue clearing 1st Priority - Arterial Thoroughfares, 2nd Priority - Collectors and bays, and steam drainage.
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 (-20ยฐC) salting will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
- If it is above (-20ยฐC), sanding will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
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Residential Snow Clearing Update - March 8, 2024
The roadway crews have completed the following residential zones.
Zone 3 - Completed
Zone 5 - Completed
Zone 1 - Will be finished on Saturday, March 9.
Zone 4 - Started snow clearing Today, March 8
Zone 2 - Scheduled to start as soon as Zone 4 has been completed.
Note: cul-de-sacs & bays are last in the snow-clearing process
Thank you for your patience! Roadway crews have been clearing residential streets since Wed, March 6.
Please, check the residential map to know when they'll be in your area. Residential Snow Clearing Map
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Residential Snow Clearing - Zone 4 - March 8, 2024 at 7:00 A.M
Roadway crews will be in the Residential Zone 4 area beginning Wednesday, March 8, 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.
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 1 - March 6, 2024 at 7 A.M
Roadway crews will be in the Residential Zone 1 area beginning Wednesday, March 6, 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.
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 Route Parking Ban Red & Blue Routes - March 4, 2024 at 9:00 P.M.
A Snow Route Parking Ban has been declared starting March 4, 2024 at 9 P.M. for the Red & Blue (Downtown Core) Routes.
Snow Crews will be targeting Myrtle Ave, Fifth Ave S, Beck Ave, and Hamilton Road.
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 March 3, 9:00 P.M
Roadway crews will be clearing the 1st Priority Streets beginning tonight, Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 9:00pm, starting with highways and essential services (Hospital, Fire Department, Ambulance, RCMP, & nursing homes), then arterial thoroughfares.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
This has been triggered because there is 2โ (5 cm) of accumulated snow on the street.
As the snow is being cleared, sanding and salting operations will follow.
If it is below (-20ยฐC) salting will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
If it is above (-20ยฐC), sanding will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
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Snow Plowing - 1st Priority Streets, continues Feb 29, 7:00 A.M
Roadway crews continue clearing, sanding, and salting the 1st Priority Streets focused on arterial thoroughfares, back lanes - Priority lanes, Sidewalks and City Parking lots.
If possible, please remove any vehicles from the designated streets during this time.
This has been triggered because there is 2โ (5 cm) of accumulated snow on the street.
As the snow is being cleared, sanding and salting operations will follow.
- If it is below (-20ยฐC) salting will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
- If it is above (-20ยฐC), sanding will be spread on the designated areas to ensure safety.
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Snow Route Parking Ban Blue Routes (Downtown Core), Starting Feb 27, at 11 P.M.
A Snow Route Parking Ban has been declared starting February 27, 2024, at 11 P.M. for the Blue Route (Downtown Core).
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.
Remember: Fines may be issued if vehicles are not moved during a Snow Route Parking Ban.
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.
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 Cityโs decision not to undertake hauling snow from residential streets?
- What is the Cityโs policy regarding the clearing of sidewalks, and why are not all sidewalks cleared?
- What are the reasons behind the Cityโs 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? Shouldnโt the City have sufficient equipment and manpower to independently manage snow removal operations?
- What is the rationale behind the Cityโs 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 Cityโs 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 Cityโs snow plows deposit snow onto it after Iโve cleaned it. Could you please explain the reasoning behind this practice?
- Following the Cityโs street plowing, Iโve 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 lawnโs 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
