With a snowstorm in the forecast, and continued extreme cold temperatures, the City’s Public Works team is issuing a warning about potentially hazardous road conditions in the coming days.
Due to cold ground temperatures, salt hasn’t been effective in melting the compacted snow that still remains on many roads throughout the City. Crews have been laying sand for traction, but with heavy snowfall expected overnight, road conditions are expected to deteriorate.
“We will be facing some tricky snow-clearing conditions over the next few days,” says Scott Boyko, Public Works Manager. “Our crews will be out in full force, but with these sub-zero temperatures since the last storm preventing any melt, combined with the current ground conditions, there will definitely be challenges ahead.”
Drivers are encouraged to prepare for winter driving conditions and avoid driving if possible.
About the City’s snow-clearing process
The City's Public Works crews are responsible for clearing the roads, bus shelters, select sidewalks and parking lots in a timely manner. Roads are cleared on a priority basis, focusing on the areas with the greatest impact on drivers and emergency responders.
Priority 1 Routes
- Major collectors: main routes serving as connectors/collectors between areas and routes
- Steep grades: hilly terrain with high traffic volumes
- Roads serving emergency routes to hospitals and fire equipment
- Major transit routes: serving the majority of transit users
Priority 2 Routes
- Collector roads (remainder of)
- School zones: serving as routes to access school
- Main industrial routes
- Minor transit routes
Priority 3 Routes
- The remainder of the routes in the City, typically local roads
It may take snow-clearing crews 48 hours to reach the residential streets and cul-de-sacs from the time it stops snowing. If snow falls again within that time, crews must return to streets with higher priority.
For a map of priority areas, visit penticton.ca/snow.
If you need to report an issue or area that requires attention, you can file an online report at penticton.ca/report-an-issue.