Snow Clearing
Each winter, the City of Winkler provides snow removal services throughout the city. Our fleet of snow clearing equipment and crews are ready to clear your roads and sidewalks as quickly and efficiently as possible. Every time the crew heads out to clear snow they maintain 130 km of roads, 60 km of sidewalks and 59 cul-de-sacs. City staff generally concentrate on the primary routes first then move on to secondary roads.
More information on our snow clearing and ice control process can be found below.
CITY OF WINKLER SNOW CLEARING PRIORITY MAP
CITY OF WINKLER SNOW REMOVAL POLICY
City of Winkler Snow Parking Ban
SNOW PARKING RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST TO APRIL 30TH
Through the winter months, Snow Route Parking Restrictions may be implemented during a snow event to expediently and efficiently complete snow clearing activities. During a parking ban, parking on the street will be prohibited until streets have been cleared to the curb.
Public notice will be given 24 hours before a parking ban is enforced via Connect Winkler text message, website notice, Pembina Valley Online, local radio, as well as a social media.
Find out more by exploring our FAQ’s below or check out the fact sheet at the link below.
CITY OF WINKLER SNOW PARKING BAN FACT SHEET
Can I park on the street after a snowfall?
You are not permitted to park on the street during a snow event if a Snow Parking Ban has been implemented.
Snow Parking Ban
In the event that the City of Winkler’s Designated Officer, or their delegate, believes there is a reason to restrict parking to expediently and efficiently complete snow clearing activities, the Designated Officer may declare a Snow Route Parking Restriction (Ban) between October 1 to April 30 with 24 hours of advance public notice before parking restrictions come into effect.
Once a parking ban comes into effect, parking on the street is prohibited until streets have been cleared to the curb with the exception of downtown areas.
Parking on the street in downtown areas during a parking ban will be prohibited from 9:00 PM – 7:00 AM until streets have been cleared to the curb. Please reference our snow clearing priority map to identify downtown areas.
Any vehicles parked on the street after the parking ban is in effect will be towed at the owner’s expense.
When and how long will parking bans be in effect?
A snow parking ban may be declared between October 1st and April 30th.
Snow clearing activities are typically triggered when we receive 5-7 cm of snow.
When a parking ban has been implemented, parking on the street will be permitted again once the street has been cleared to the curb.
*Please note that it takes two passes of the grader to clear the street to the curb.
*During continued snowfall, parking on the street will be prohibited until snowfall ends and streets have been cleared to the curb.
What happens if your vehicle is parked on the street during a parking ban?
If a vehicle is parked on the street during a parking ban the vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense.
How do you pay for a parking ticket?
If you receive a parking ticket during a snow parking ban, you may pay it at the Winkler City Hall Administration Office.
How do you retrieve your vehicle if it is towed?
If your vehicle is towed during a snow parking ban, your vehicle will be located at one of two towing companies, Windy Lane Towing or Emergency Roadside Service.
To retrieve your vehicle, you will need to contact the towing company that towed your vehicle. You may call Winkler City Hall Administration Office to find out the primary towing company used during the parking ban.
Emergency Roadside Service
265 Kimberly Road
204-362-6766
Windy Lane Towing
420 Airport Drive
204-384-6400
When are streets cleared?
Typical accumulation to begin snow removal is 5-7cm (2"-2.75") of snow.
Downtown streets are usually cleaned between midnight and 8am due to less traffic and for windrowing.
Is there a street priority system in place for snow removal?
For the purpose of snow clearing, Winkler's street system is classified in three categories; Primary, Downtown, and Secondary, which are listed on this map.
Primary streets are normally cleaned first and usually kept open (as needed) during a storm for Emergency vehicles.
Does snow clearing affect garbage pick up?
After a snowfall, waste & recycling should be placed 5-10 feet from the street to avoid contact with the snowplow.
Street cleaning for a certain route may be left until the pick up is complete.
Why does the city dump snow on my boulevard?
During plowing operation, snow is stored on boulevards in the public right-of-way.
Residents are reminded that the City’s boulevard is utilized for snow storage.
What types of snow clearing equipment is used?
Streets are normally cleaned by graders.
Bays and Cul-de-sacs are normally cleaned by loaders.
Walkways and sidewalks are normally cleaned by skid steers or other small equipment.
How long does it take city crews to clear the streets after a snowfall?
When a city-wide plowing program is implemented, it will be completed with in 120 hours after a snow event.
Why did the snowplow leave a ridge on my driveway?
The snowplow driveway wing is designed to contain most of the snow and keep it from entering the driveway. On occasion residual snow will spill out onto the driveway.
What is a windrow?
A windrow is a ridge of snow that is left behind after a snow plow or grader passes by.
Can I move snow from my private property onto a City right-of-way?
No, it is not permitted to move snow from private properties onto boulevards, streets, lanes and ditches.
Persons found depositing snow on boulevards, streets, lanes and ditches may be charged the cost to remove such snow.
Please refer to our Traffic & Parking By-Law which can be found at the link below.
City of Winkler Applications, Bylaws, Policies & Reports
Does the city use sand on the streets?
To improve traction on icy roadways, crews spread treated sand (which includes approximately 5 percent salt) as required to improve traction on roadways.