Changes to snow route parking ban for better snow removal

With the winter months quickly approaching, the City of Winnipeg is advising the public of changes to the Annual Snow Route Parking Ban.

Coming into effect this winter season, the Annual Winter Route Parking Ban will replace the Annual Snow Route Parking Ban. Not only is the change in the name, but there are also some guidelines that are different.

The Annual Snow Route Parking Ban prohibited parking on designated streets in the early morning hours, between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., from December 1 until the last day in February. The dates were stagnant and did not change depending on the weather, meaning it did not take into account an early snowfall or a late end to winter.

Similarly, the new Annual Winter Route Parking Ban still applies between the hours of 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., but there are some differences:

• The ban may start for the season on or at any time after November 1 based on weather conditions.
• The City of Winnipeg will provide seven days' notice of the ban coming into effect.
  • The earliest a ban could be declared is on October 24, if a ban were to start on November 1.
• The ban will be lifted in the spring when it is no longer needed operationally, though it can remain in place until the end of April if needed.

Signage on the streets is being updated to display "Winter Route" rather than "Snow Route." It will take city crews several months to completely update all on-street signage throughout Winnipeg.

Motorists are being advised that if they see either sign this winter, it means that parking is prohibited while the Annual Winter Route Parking Ban is in effect.

It is also being recommended that motorists check streets for both "Winter Route" and "Snow Route" signs before they park overnight.

Check the city's online address lookup tool, the Know Your Zone mobile app, the interactive Winter Route map or contact 311 if unsure whether the Annual Winter Route Parking Ban is effective in a certain location.

The purpose of the Annual Winter Parking Ban is to ensure effective and efficient snow clearing operations on critical routes that emergency vehicles use to navigate through the city quickly and safely.

Vehicles that are parked during prohibited hours may be ticketed and towed.

The Extended Winter Route Parking Ban further limits overnight parking on designated Winter Routes. The ban will be declared when the City feels that extra time is needed to complete snow removal operations, normally after heavy snowfalls or when snow has accumulated to a high level.

This ban extends the Annual Winter Route Parking Ban by two hours, adjusting the prohibited parking hours from midnight to 7 a.m.

The City urges motorists to stay informed on the City’s snow clearing operations. For comprehensive information and resources on the City’s snow clearing and ice control operations, including more information on winter parking bans, enforcement, and ways to stay informed about snow clearing operations, see: winnipeg.ca/snow.