COQUITLAM, BC, Dec. 16, 2022 – With snow in the forecast over the weekend and potentially next week, Coquitlam City crews are hard at work getting ready and residents are also encouraged to be prepared and ‘winter wise.’
City crews have begun preparing their response for the forecasted winter conditions, which includes having snow-removal vehicles at the ready and salt on hand to treat the roads. As needed, crews will be working 24/7 during the snow event and monitoring the situation closely to mobilize additional resources.
When snow is falling, streets will be plowed according to the City’s priority routes system focusing on primary roads (arterials, collectors, bus routes and access roads to schools) with local roads and lanes only being plowed as resources allow. Check out our Captain Public Works video explaining our priority routes.
Help Keep Our Sidewalks Safe
All residents and property owners are required to clear all the sidewalks around their property within 10 hours of the snow stopping. By following the Snow and Ice Removal clause of the City’s Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw, everyone contributes to keeping our sidewalks safe for everyone in the community.
Use Coquitlam’s real-time Snow Response Request tool at www.coquitlam.ca/snowresponse to report areas of concern.
On-Street Parking Restrictions During Snow Events
Each year from Nov. 1 to Mar. 15, the City implements parking restrictions to help City crews to plow streets clear from curb to curb, making the streets safer for winter driving during snow events.
Drivers and residents are asked to follow all posted parking restrictions, as noted on signage along City streets. And, regardless of where you live, when there is snow in the forecast, everyone is asked to not park on the street. Maps showing all areas affected by seasonal parking restrictions can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise.
Sign Up for Notification Alerts
The City activates additional parking restrictions at the locations listed below when snow is in the forecast until the end of the snow event and the streets are clear:
- Corona Crescent in the Chineside area
- Hamber Court and Pritchett Place on Burke Mountain
- Lansdowne Drive
- Westwood Plateau - Berkshire Crescent, Braeside Place, Chartwell Green, Firestone Place, Johnson Street (above David Avenue), Norwood Court, Parkway Boulevard (from Panorama Drive to Plateau Boulevard), Pinetree Way (above David Avenue), Plateau Boulevard, Topaz Court and Turnberry Lane
Coquitlam residents living in the locations listed above are encouraged to sign up for the email alerts by going to the Parking Restrictions tab at www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise. Subscribers will receive an email alert when the restrictions are activated, which could help prevent receiving a ticket or having their vehicle towed. Parking updates are also posted to the City of Coquitlam Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media channels.
Waste Collection Services on Snow Days
Heavy snowfall can sometimes affect waste collection services due to road conditions.
If your Garbage and/or Green Cart has not been collected by 7:30 p.m. during a snowfall event, bring it off the street or lane for the night and place it out again after 5:30 a.m. the next morning. If your carts are still not collected, please bring them in again and wait until your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Receive collection service alerts by signing up for email updates or downloading the free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app at www.coquitlam.ca/ReCollect.
For questions regarding missed Garbage and Green Cart collection, contact Waste Connections of Canada at 604-636-3520 or CityofCoquitlam@wasteconnections.com.
For missed recycling collection, contact Recycle BC’s collection contractor GFL Environmental at 604-529-4011 or srrecycle@gflenv.com.
Top Tips to Keep You and Your Family Safe and Comfortable
To minimize disruptions during the snow event, please follow these tips to get prepared.
Vehicle and Road Safety
- If you need to travel, take transit during snow events and especially if you are not experienced driving in the snow, or if roads are impassable or dangerous.
- If you choose to drive your vehicle, make sure to drive only with good snow tires.
- Keep a small, portable emergency kit in your vehicle with food, water, extra clothing, first aid supplies and other necessities (download a checklist on the Winter Preparedness and Safety page at www.coquitlam.ca/winterprep).
Be a Good Neighbour
- When taking care of your property, consider helping neighbours clear their catch basin, shovel their sidewalk, or move their garbage carts – especially if they are elderly or have limited mobility.
- Volunteer to be a Snow Angel and help clear sidewalks for residents who may be unable to do so on their own. Full details at www.coquitlam.ca/snowangels.
Home and Property
- Clean the catch basin grates around your property regularly to prevent flooding.
- To determine where the catch basins are adjacent to your property, you can view a map at www.coquitlam.ca/adoptacatchbasin. We encourage residents and business owners to also adopt-a-catch basin.
- Have flashlights, electric lanterns and extra batteries on hand, and make sure you have an emergency kit (download a checklist on the Winter Preparedness and Safety page at www.coquitlam.ca/winterprep).
Loved Ones
Make arrangements with loved ones who live on their own and are elderly or have limited mobility to help them prepare for winter.
Media contact:
Brad Lofgren
Director, Public Works
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca