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The snowstorms have officially ended in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Guelph in southern Ontario.
These events were called off after the region got hit with about 25 to 30 cm of snow over the long weekend from Feb. 15 to 17. Things were even tougher since a big snowfall had already blanketed the area just a few days before, causing schools to close.
This means that city-wide bans on street parking have now been lifted.
“Although the snow event will be cancelled, overnight parking exemptions will not be allowed until the enhanced snow loading operations currently underway have been completed,” the City of Kitchener said in a release Wednesday.
“Keeping the streets clear of vehicles will help us complete snow removal as quickly as possible.”
Officials in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo say that their declared significant weather event from Feb. 12 is still active.
Waterloo explained that crews still need “extra time needed to service roads, sidewalks and trails, to reach a point when normal operations can resume.”
They also mentioned that even though the parking ban has ended, parked cars continue to slow down snow clearing efforts.
“Please keep parked cars off city streets as much as possible to help us continue snow clearing and snow removal as effectively and efficiently as possible,” the city said.
On Monday, Guelph announced it was ending its significant weather event but said overnight parking downtown would stay banned until Friday morning.
The city noted any remaining plowing should happen over the next few days. They also reminded drivers that bike lanes might still be blocked by snow so they need to watch out for cyclists sharing the road.
The Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation issued a statement after lifting its weather alert urging everyone to be careful. They also asked people to report any unresolved issues on sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops and trails – especially where there are “barriers around accessibility ramps or crossings.”
Potholes could appear soon
Kitchener warns that potholes might start popping up with warmer days melting some snow followed by freezing nights.
“As we continue to respond to the significant amount of snow that has accumulated this season, we are committing as many resources as possible to snow loading. This means we may not be able to repair potholes as quickly as usual,” the City of Kitchener said.
“We will continue to monitor and assess potholes on our streets and prioritize repairs based on the highest need. Even if we can’t repair a pothole right away, we record every reported pothole to address as part of our ongoing maintenance program.”
The City of Guelph also reminded residents that melting snow could cause flooding in low-lying spots.
“Please check the storm drains near your residence and ensure they are clear of debris.”
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