Saint John’s snow clearing services will see some reductions this winter, especially when it comes to sidewalk clearance.
City staff says the reduction will not be ‘significant’ but it does decrease the ability to handle surge capacity during winter storms during high-demand times like morning and evening rush hours.
In all, 18 positions have been eliminated, and the city has reduced its fleet by 11 pieces of equipment.
The city expects equipment reductions will save more than $355,000 in annual maintenance. The cuts follow the city’s push for financial sustainability, by eliminating the deficit by the end of 2020.
City staff also hope that a ‘balancing’ of staffing between day and night shifts will lead to improved overnight clearing services.
Transportation Commissioner Michael Hugenholtz says reductions to service are important for ensuring the city is ready for the winter season.
“If we try and stretch our resources too thin and we encounter severe winter weather, we may in fact lose those sidewalks for the remainder of the season,” he said.
A list of sidewalks that will no longer be serviced by the city was issued at Monday night’s council meeting.
Councillor Ray Strowbridge took issue with the list, after he noticed that it included every sidewalk in the Silver Falls neighbourhood, including some on a transit route.
“I can’t make sense of it, and I would say go back to the drawing board,” he said. “It’s not even my ward, I won’t get calls on it… but how could you recommend that? All of them, you took out all of them.”
Hugenholtz said the decisions were made by considering vehicle traffic volumes, traffic speed, pedestrian traffic volumes, as well as street length and configuration.
The full Winter Management Plan overview will be presented at an upcoming council meeting.
