Can you reduce costs? We try to keep a good balance between levels of service and expenditures by continually trying to improve our service without increasing costs. Generally speaking, actual costs depend on the weather. The more snow and ice, the more it costs.
I didn't know you would be plowing and I think it's unfair that my car got towed away?
We try to give as much notice for snow removal activities as possible. The news media are very cooperative with us on this. Try to be aware of snow operations news from your radio, TV, newspaper or call our Snow Line at 250-561-7600 for the most current update on what areas are being worked on.
I'd like to make a suggestion on snow removal. Who can I send it to? We'll be happy to get your suggestions. Send them to City of Prince George, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, V2L 3V9. Attention: Alan Clark, Manager, Transportation Division or by email to aclark@city.pg.bc.ca
I'm very concerned about our environment. Why don't you eliminate the use of salt? Salting is much more economical for small amounts of snow when the road surface temperatures are warmer than -7° Degrees Celsius. The salt content used in our sand/salt mix is minimal (approximately 2%) and serves to retard the freezing of the sand and keeps it workable in our sand trucks. Direct salt applications are very expensive and are used only when necessary. We are working on a salt management plan to ensure we use salt only when necessary, and manage it properly.
Is it all right to allow my children to dig snow caves along roadside snow banks? This should definitely be discouraged. Equipment widening streets or blowing snow back could collapse a snow cave trapping or seriously injuring children inside. Our operators are constantly watching for children, but may miss a snow cave and a child may not be seen until it is too late.
My car has been towed. Where will I find it?
For information on where towed vehicles are being stored, call 250-561-7600.
My street was plowed poorly because of parked cars. Can you come back and plow again?
We will return when time permits. Call us at the Snow Line at 250-561-7600.
What can I do to avoid being towed and/or ticketed? Use off-street parking during winter months. When parking on the street ensure that you comply with posted parking restrictions as well as the general citywide winter parking restrictions.
When is it O.K. to park on my street again after it has been plowed? You can park on the street as soon as it's been completely plowed to the curb, or its full width. Be careful, it takes more than one pass of the plows to get the job done completely.
Where can I park downtown at night? Parkades and parking lots offer off street parking downtown 24 hours a day.
Who can I call if I've got a complaint or a request?
For plowing or sanding call SNOW LINE at 250-561-7600, 24 hours per day. Alternatively, you can contact us on our web site at www.princegeorge.ca
Why didn’t the City remove all of the snow from the bottom of my driveway? The objective in opening driveways in curbed areas is to allow residents reasonable access for vehicles equipped for winter conditions. Deep snow can be a problem for our snow gate equipment, which is used to carry snow across a driveway opening. Occasionally, a small windrow of snow may remain after equipment has cleared your area.
Why do the plows go so fast? Plows do have to go a minimum speed in order to throw the snow off to the side. We do ask our drivers not to drive faster than necessary. In some cases however, shrubs, fences, walkways and driveways close to the curb cannot avoid getting snow on them.
Why don't you just tow the cars off the street that don't observe the parking bans? Vehicles obstructing operations are subject to $50 Tickets and/or impoundment. Impoundment involves a towing company and considerable time, so rather than hold up our equipment, we will ticket the vehicle, and plow around it. If there is a car on your street that is never moved, call the Bylaw Department at 561-7622.
Why don't your drivers put the blades down and plow all the snow off down to the pavement?
The Streets Operations uses "gravity" plows that can be mounted on the same trucks used during the summer. These plows tend to ride on top of compacted snow.
It seems like we're always plowed last. Why can't we be first sometimes?
Routes are established by Streets Foremen who consider garbage collection and the order of cleanup on the previous storm. We do try to rotate the order of cleanup if conditions permit this.
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