Snowfall is expected on January 16. Make sure you are prepared with proper tires and remember; speed limits are maximums in ideal conditions; reduce your speed & leave room between your vehicle & the one in front of you.
A few facts about Central Saanich road clearing:
- Central Saanich currently has 5 snow plows as well as other machinery. The vehicles typically run constantly during snow events (If you see one parked at the yard it's likely in the midst of a repair).
- During a single event we may plow over 3,000kms of roads.
- We keep all emergency establishments and surrounding routes clear; this includes the police station, fire stations, ambulance station, and the hospital. (See priority list below)
- Our crews work around the clock to clear as many roads as possible. Many departments help out.
- Roads are cleared based on priority categories, we also prioritize specific situations, such as when residents with medical needs need treatment and care.
Every community has a different level of resources, varying amounts of roadway, and different demands. We hope that gives you a sense of ours.
Road Safety & Clearing
Our Municipal Roads department monitors changing winter road conditions during regular hours of work looking for hazardous conditions. Please direct all requests, comments and concerns directly to the Municipal Yard at 250-544-4224, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours, Central Saanich Police monitor road conditions by the officers in the field; during those hours, please call Central Saanich Police at 250-652-4441.
We are responsible for keeping well over 130 km of roads safe and passable; once a roadway is identified as potentially hazardous, operations staff respond based on snow clearing response priorities. Our service operates seven days a week to handle after-hour requests or problems.
- First Priority: Emergency routes, public transit routes, arterial routes, major collectors, school roadways and some roads in hilly areas are given first priority. Plowing and salt/sanding will continue as long as adverse weather conditions exist. Snow will be cleared from all emergency establishments and surrounding routes. These areas include the police station, fire station, ambulance station, and the hospital.
- Second Priority: Collector roads and some cul-de-sacs in hilly areas identified. Clear and maintain collector roads and designated hill and problem areas.
- Third Priority: Clearing cul-de-sacs and no thru roads. Work is carried out during regular working hours except in an extreme snow event. Clear cul-de-sacs is generally done 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.
For more information see CSaanich.ca/Winter and be sure to follow the District on social media Facebook, Instagram and Twitter