Bitter cold warning hits Hamilton-area as snow cleanup continues

The City of Hamilton says the snow clean up is going well and expect to have the bulk of the snowfall cleared away within a week.

Meantime, there are some frustrated people in Hamilton Monday night, particularly in the downtown area where the narrow streets present their own snow problems.

After a snowstorm that stretched from Sunday into Monday, and dropped 40 centimetres or more in areas around Hamilton, the city itself was dealing with knee-high snow estimated between 20 and 30 centimetres.

“A decent amount of snow in a couple of days,” said one resident. “I’m over it.”

The city says its crews have been out since 5 a.m. Mark Priest, Superintendent of Roadway Maintenance, said the snow plows are moving smoothly through the dry snow.

“Clean up’s going really well,” Priest said. “Actually, this kind of snow is quite dry and it is a light snow in comparison to other snowfalls and the plows are moving through it quite well.”

With the clean up under way, people were facing frequent frustration of plows that push back the snow that’s already been shovelled.

“We’ll be parked at the side of the road and then as soon as they go they put a couple feet of snow up against your car so you end up having to shovel the whole other side of the road,” said one resident. “Basically, redo what they’ve already done.”

Teesha Fleming says she clears the snow for three elderly people who can’t do it themselves just to see a snowplow push it back into what are called “windrows.”

“I understand the plows have to do their job, I totally understand that, but they also have to have some consideration of blocking people in,” Fleming said. “I saw a plow go by and he pushed it all the way to the driveway entrance.”

Coun. Cameron Kroetsch says city council decided three years ago not to add a windrow service to clear the end of driveways, that some other cities try, because of the expense – up to $27 million.

The city does suggest that residents can help manage the windrow problem themselves in the way they shovel.

“My recommendation for residents always pile the snow to the right side of the residence, or the left side if you face it, and then it will carry in a more uniform fashion,” Priest said. “Windrows are unfortunately a byproduct of the winter season so we do our best to evenly distribute that snow.”

Hamilton council determined in the past that adding windrow equipment to the plows would cost up to $27 million a year. Kroetsch says it’s something that could be considered again to help residents deal with snowfalls.

READ MORE: Extreme cold continues for much of Halton, Hamilton: Environment Canada