City crews have started their annual citywide sweeping of streets and sidewalks to remove debris and sand that has accumulated over the winter months.
Starting this week, street sweepers will move into residential neighbourhoods for a concentrated street sweeping blitz. Residential street sweeping is scheduled for completion by May 5, weather permitting.
"We're supplementing our fleet of four vacuum street sweepers with tendered sweeping contractors to complete our cleanup of residential streets as quickly as possible," said Mayor Dave Courtemanche in a news release. "We ask motorists to help our crews by not parking on residential streets until work is complete."
During an average winter, approximately 35,000 tonnes of sand is deposited on city streets and sidewalks to improve traction on icy surfaces. In the spring, sweeping operations begin when the main roads are of clear of ice and when temperatures permit the use of water to suppress dust without freezing. Municipal street sweeping has been underway intermittently as weather conditions have allowed since late March on arterial roads, collector routes and downtown areas. Once these streets are free of sand and debris, crews will begin line painting operations.
"The initial spring time sweeping is the most difficult and the slowest because of heavy accumulations of sand and debris over the winter months," said Alan Stephen, General Manager of Infrastructure and Emergency Services in a release.
"More than one pass is often required to sufficiently clean the street. That's why you sometimes see a sweeper do a multiple pass on the same street, working from the centre to the curb."
Where possible, median islands and adjacent sidewalks are swept before the street sweeper makes its pass. The sweeping operation is sometimes augmented using a flusher truck that loosens and dampens accumulated debris.
While street sweeping is underway, there may be some noise and dust. Parents are reminded to keep children away from mechanized street sweepers to avoid potential hazards caused by dislodged rocks and other debris.
Citizens who have questions about street sweeping operations are asked to call the Public Works 24-hour public information and emergency line at 560-2022.
