COQUITLAM, BC, Nov. 28, 2022 – With snow in the forecast, now is the time to make sure you are prepared and ‘winter wise.’
Coquitlam crews have begun their winter response and will be working 24/7 with Public Works management monitoring the situation closely to mobilize additional resources as necessary.
When and if snow is falling, streets will be plowed according to the City’s priority routes 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 Captain Public Works explaining our priority routes.
Report areas of concern using our real-time Snow Reporting Response Tool available at www.coquitlam.ca/snowresponse.
Parking Restrictions During Snow Events
Coquitlam has implemented a number of parking restrictions to help City crews to plow streets clear of snow to make them safer for driving.
In all cases, residents are expected to not park on the street - all vehicles should be parked in a driveway, garage, carport or other area of their private property. Coquitlam residents and drivers are asked to follow all posted parking restrictions. In addition to allowing our crews to make our streets safer, this will prevent drivers from having to dig out their vehicle, and avoid a ticket or towing.
Maps showing all areas affected by seasonal parking restrictions is available at www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise under the Parking Restrictions tab.
How to Know When the Parking Ban is in Effect for ‘When Declared’ Restriction
The City will advise when the parking ban has been activated in the following ways:
- Public Service Advisories to social media
- By email - we encourage all residents who live in the affected areas, to sign up for the Winter Parking Restrictions email list using NotifyMe.
Tips to Stay Safe and Comfortable When It Snows
To minimize disruptions, please follow these helpful tips.
Changes to Waste Collection
- Disruptions to Garbage and Green Cart collection will be communicated through our free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app. Download the app or sign up for phone call or email alerts at www.coquitlam.ca/ReCollect.
- If your Garbage and/or Green Cartis not 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 before 7:30 a.m. the next morning.
- If your carts are still not able to be collected, please bring them in and report the missed collection using our Snow Reporting Response Tool (www.coquitlam.ca/snowresponse) so our contractor can prioritize your address for collection on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
- Questions regarding missed Garbage and Green Cart collection should be directed to Waste Connections of Canada at 604-636-3520 or Cityofcoquitlam@wasteconnections.com.
- Curbside recycling collection in Coquitlam is not managed by the City – it is a service provided at no cost to residents by Recycle BC.
- Disruptions to recycling collection will be communicated through the free Recycle BC app. Download the app or sign up for phone call or email alerts at www.recyclebc.ca/Coquitlam.
- Questions regarding missed recycling collection should be directed to Recycle BC’s collection contractor GFL Environmental at 604-529-4011 or srrecycle@gflenv.com.
Vehicle
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, allowing extra time to reach your destination and driving for the road conditions.
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).
Home and Property
- As a responsible neighbour and citizen and as per our Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw, you are required to clear all the sidewalks around your property within 10 hours of the snow stopping.
- Do not shovel your snow onto the roadway. To ensure that the plow does not push the snow back onto your sidewalk and driveway, we recommend shoveling onto your yard and to the right of your driveway when facing the road.
- 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).
Be Winter Wise
Coquitlam’s Winter Wise program kicks into gear each winter to minimize the impact of snow, ice, storms and colder temperatures, as well as heavy rain and flooding, wind and power outages. While the City works to keep roads safe and reduce service disruptions, residents are encouraged to do their part by clearing sidewalks and catch basins, parking off-street to allow for plowing, and being prepared for extended power failures or impassable roads.
More information about City services and resident responsibilities during the winter months can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise.
Media contact:
Brad Lofgren
Director, Public Works
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca