In the event of an emergency or natural disaster during a snow event the Municipal Hall is used as an Emergency Operations Centre and the Cultural Centre would be used as an emergency shelter. Public Works Staff maintain the area clear of snow at all times.

Yes.  The District of Central Saanich has a prioritized program with input from the following:

Clear snow from all emergency establishments and surrounding routes.  These areas are access to the police and fire stations, access to the ambulance station and the Hospital.

Clear and maintain all arterial and bus routes.  Keating X Rd, Wallace Dr, East Saanich Rd, Mt Newton X Rd, Central Saanich Rd, are all examples of main arterial roads.

Clear and maintain collector roads, designated hill & problem areas.   Simpson Rd, Rodolph Rd, Bella Vista Rd, and Hagan Rd, are all examples of collector roads.

Clear residential areas of snow, working on through roads first and cul-de-sacs last. It can take up to 48 hours to reach the cul-de-sacs from the time it stops snowing.  If snow falls again within that time, crews must then return to the streets with higher priority.  Understandably, this lengthens the response time for residential and cul-de-sac roads and is the prime cause of inquiries on snow control.

An overall map of the snow clearing priorities for the District is available for viewing on the District’s website or at the Municipal Hall in the Engineering Department.

Eventually, windrows would have to be removed, increasing snow costs and decreasing the program's snow plowing productivity.  In addition, it is difficult to dispose of snow because of the problems created when it melts in spring.

Our Streets and Traffic Bylaw requires property owners and residents to clear snow and ice within 24 hours of the accumulation from the sidewalk bordering your properties. When you consider the combined length of the sidewalks in the district, it is just too costly and time consuming to use additional people and equipment to perform this service for all areas.  The District does clear sidewalks around some parks and a number of District owned facilities. Municipal Hall, Cultural Centre are all examples of facilities.

Furthermore, the District does not clear pathways or stairs to adjoining streets. Again, it is just too costly and time consuming to use additional staff and resources to perform this service. If you see unsafe conditions report it immediately.

District snowplows have a thick rubber blade edge instead of a steel cutting edge.  This ensures operator safety and reduces equipment damage when the plows strike raised manholes and other unforeseen obstacles.

Unnecessary vehicular traffic packs the snow and impedes the progress of snowplow equipment. When traffic has packed the snow to ice, plows cannot remove it.  A salt and sand mixture then is used to melt the ice and help traction.  Salt is most effective at –6 degrees Celsius and higher. The District does not have a “bare” road policy. There will be icy and slippery sections throughout the municipality even after the trucks have finished.

When you consider the large number of driveways in the district, it becomes very time consuming and costly to use additional people and equipment to perform this service.

Our operators are aware of the inconvenience and attempt to avoid the problem when possible.  Sometimes, this is impossible, especially when, because of priorities, drivers are required to continue on with their designated program, leaving piled up snow as they pass. When clearing your driveway place it to the left side, when facing your property.

Yes, the district does tow vehicles from time to time.  This is done to ensure routes are clear for emergency and vehicular traffic.  Residents that leave or abandon their vehicles during snowstorms and obstruct traffic flow can expect their vehicles to be towed without warning.  Try and park in your driveway, especially in cul-de-sacs as getting around these tight areas with a snowplow on the front of a truck is made more difficult by parked cars in the cul-de-sac. Sometime, it is impossible.

If your vehicle has been removed, please call the Central Saanich Police at 652-4441.

Significant boulevard damages will be scheduled for repair during the following spring or summer. However, they will be limited to grassed areas and other municipally-owned infrastructure. The District is not responsible for repairing damages to resident-installed equipment or structures on the boulevards, such as sprinkler heads, garden beds, rock walls, etc.

You can call the Public Works Department at 544-4224 ext 229. Normal working hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday or the Municipal Hall at 250-652-4444. The department does have a standby service seven days a week to handle after hour requests or problems.  Contact is through the police non-emergency number at 652-4441.

We will be very happy to receive and consider your suggestions.  Please send them to the attention of:

District of Central Saanich
Engineering / Public Works
1903 Mt Newton X Road
Saanichton, BC   V8M 2A9
Tel:  250-544-4210 – Fax:  250-652-4737