|
 |
 |
In the late fall, the start of icy morning roads mobilizes the City of Port Coquitlam’s snow and ice removal crews, which hit the streets with de-icing solution (see below for details on the Ice Control Road Sensor System). The Operations Division relies on a combination of weather forecasts, automated in-pavement temperature and moisture sensors, and visual inspections to activate the City’s snow and ice-removal program. The first response is with brine trucks, which deposit a de-icing water-salt solution that sticks to the roads better and is more environmentally-friendly than dry salt.
Depending on weather conditions, a variety of different vehicles will hit the streets this winter to clear away the snow and ice, including:
- five large dumptrucks with sanders and ploughs,
- three single-axle trucks that plough and apply brine or sand
- one grader
- two backhoes
- one front-end loader
The City’s primary snow-removal priorities are arterial roads and main routes, to ensure that buses, emergency responders and the greatest number of people can get through. Steep hills and school zones are also a top priority.
Next on the list are non-arterial bus routes and collector roads, followed by residential streets leading to subdivisions and industrial side streets.
The City’s coordinated snow-removal program proved effective during the 2008/2009 winter season, with its record-breaking cold temperatures and snowfall levels. Crews worked around the clock – including over the holidays – to keep the roads clear and safe. Kudos were received from many local residents who said Port Coquitlam’s streets were safer than those in many other communities. As well, not one waste collection day was missed in Port Coquitlam.
In order to assign specific levels of service for winter operations, roads have been classified as follows:
Snow Removal Priorities
First Priority
- Arterial roads and main routes
- Steep hills
- School zones
Second Priority
- Bus routes
- Collector roads
Third Priority
- Residential streets leading to subdivisions
- Industrial side streets
Ice Control Road Sensor System
The City of Port Coquitlam was one of the first cities in British Columbia to implement a pavement temperature road sensor system. The sensors are implanted within the road pavement structure to measure asphalt surface temperatures and moisture. Data is monitored by a centralized telemetry system programmed to alert staff of emergent changes to road conditions. City crews are dispatched to apply de-icing solution or plow city roadways as is necessary to improve road conditions.
Anti-Icing Program
In addition, the City has implemented an ice control program that utilizes a new approach to de-ice roadways called “Anti-Icing”. City crews apply a liquid de-icing solution instead of salt particulate to minimize the amount of salt used and to improve adhesion of the salt to the road’s surface. The ice-control road sensor system and the anti-icing program have provided overall improvements to snow clearing efficiency, while reducing costs and environmental impacts to the community.
Sidewalk Clearing
Port Coquitlam property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks free of snow and ice adjacent to their properties.
Property owners must also have their sidewalks cleaned by 10:00am on the day after the snowfall. When shoveling your driveway, please pile the snow on the left side of the driveway (facing your property). This procedure will improve your visibility of approaching traffic and will reduce snow windrows resulting from plow trucks dragging your snow pile back into your driveway.
The City clears sidewalks adjacent to parks, bridges and other city-owned properties.
Sand and Salt
The City uses salt, salt/sand mix and straight sand to reduce ice formation on city roadways. Salt is a fast acting and effective chemical. The City attempts to minimize the use of salt and sand on roadways to lessen the impacts upon the environment. The application rates of salt and salt/sand mixes are based on temperature, road conditions, weather forecasts and snowfall rates.
For more information on Port Coquitlam's snow removal and ice control operations, please contact:
Operations Division
Tel 604.927.5480 or 604.927.5488
24 Hour Emergency Contact 604.543.6700
Fax 604.927.5408
Email operations@portcoquitlam.ca
Location and Mailing Address
Operations Centre
1737 Broadway
Port Coquitlam BC V3C 2M9
Business Hours
7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays)
[Return to top]
