Toronto city-wide snow removal could take weeks, officials say
Crews have been out 24/7 since last Wednesday.
A city-wide snow removal operation is in effect in Toronto, following historic snowfall over several days.
Three separate storms brought upwards of 50 cm to parts of the city, enough to generate Toronto's second-deepest snowpack on record and the deepest snowpack seen since Jan. 15, 1999, the notorious event that resulted a 67 cm-deep snowpack, prompting then-mayor Mel Lastman calling in the Canadian army to help with clean up.
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Toronto cleanup expected to take up to three weeks
In a Wednesday press conference, Barbara Gray, General Manager at the City of Toronto Transportation Services Division, told reporters crews have been clearing roads and sidewalks 24/7 since last Wednesday.
Now, a phased snow-removal operation is being rolled out.
The effort could take up to three weeks, Gray said, with crews targeting major roads, transit routes, hospitals, emergency service stations, and areas with limited snow storage first. Excess snow will be moved to storage sites.
Traffic delays possible
Residents should plan for potential traffic disruptions during clean-up, and be aware that parking on a snow route could result in a $200 fine.
Updates can be found on the City of Toronto website at: www.toronto.ca/plowTO.
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