Gatineau, December 21, 2012. – With the winter storm upon us, Gatineau would like residents to know that snow clearing operations are proceeding as normal and that every effort is being made to clear Gatineau's roads and make them safe.

At this point, the priority is on clearing the main arteries and collectors (including the public bus routes, and roads around schools [school corridors], churches, health care centres and daycares). Gatineau asks residents to limit their use of these roads in the interest of safety and to avoid impeding the snow clearing operations.

Police, firefighting and public works officials are monitoring the situation and coordinating operations to respond to any developments, basing themselves on up-to-date weather reports.

As soon as conditions allow, crews will begin clearing the side streets. Sidewalks will be cleared at the same time.

Timelines

As always, once the precipitation stops, allow 16 hours for the 2,919 kilometres of roads to be fully cleared if less than 25 centimetres fell, and 24 hours if more than 25 centimetres.

This winter, let's work together!

Gatineau would also like to remind residents of a few ways that they can help improve the snow clearing operations.

• Place garbage, recycling and composting bins inside property lines next to the street. (see www.gatineau.ca/collectesdutempsdesfetes for details on the next few days)

• Do not park on the street until it has been cleared.

• Do not dump snow on public roads, sidewalks, recreational pathways, fire hydrants or any other public place or property without the owner's consent.

Reminder: winter parking

The winter parking by-law is in force until April 1, 2013, and it stipulates that it is prohibited to park on Gatineau streets Mondays to Fridays from midnight to 7 a.m., and Saturdays to Sundays from 3 to 7 a.m., unless otherwise indicated.

For additional information about snow clearing operations, and about how to help these along, consult the Snow clearing section on the municipal Web site at www.gatineau.ca or call 3-1-1.

Gatineau would like to thank residents for their usual cooperation.