In an average winter, approximately 7,500 to 10,000 tonnes of sand and aggregate is deposited on City streets and sidewalks to improve traction on icy surfaces. Winter sand cleanup begins in spring when Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes are clear of ice and snow from gutter-to-gutter and when temperatures permit the use of dust suppressants without freezing. Winter sand cleanup runs 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday. It begins approximately mid-March and is typically completed by early June (weather dependent).
Sweeping Operations and Parking Restrictions
Downtown
The downtown is the highest priority for sweeping as dust and litter tends to accumulate in this area over the winter. Since snow is completely removed, the downtown also normally the first area to be available to sweepers for cleanup.
Following winter sand cleanup operations in the spring, downtown streets are normally swept twice per week on night shift throughout the summer. A sidewalk vacuum is used a few times a week for litter control.
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DOWNTOWN PARKING RESTRICTED FROM 12:00am TO 7:00am.
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Cars impeding sweeping operations on any city street are subject to being ticketed and/or towed.
- Night-time parking restrictions for sweeping operations continue throughout the spring and summer in the downtown area to allow for the cleanup of downtown streets.
Priority 1 and Priority 2 Winter Routes
The Priority 1 and 2 winter routes are the next priority for sweeping since the volume of traffic using these roads is high and larger volumes of sand and aggregate are deposited in winter for ice control.
Spring street pavement markings and street line painting can only start once these groups of roads are swept. Arterial and Collector Roads are normally swept monthly during the summer sweeping program.
Residential Areas
Once the Downtown and Priority 1 and 2 roads are clear, the sweepers will then move into residential areas.
Following initial winter sand cleanup of neighbourhoods in spring, additional sweeping in problem areas may take place on an as-required basis.
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ON-STREET RESIDENTIAL PARKING RESTRICTED FROM 8:00am TO 6:00pm.
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Cars impeding sweeping operations on any city street are subject to being ticketed and/or towed.
- Parking restrictions on residential streets during sweeping operations makes City street cleanup more efficient. If sweepers have to maneuver around parked cars, it not only slows down sweeping but will usually leave an obvious sandy/dusty area once the parked car moves.
Residential Street Sweeping Priority and Rotation
Bowl Areas
The priority for sweeping is rotated annually to ensure equity throughout the City. The curbed areas of the City have been split into seven sweeping areas (1 – 7), with the first area swept one year, then the first area going to the bottom of the list the following year and so on.
Outlying Areas
Snow build up in the non-curbed areas usually takes longer to disappear and often dictates where sweeping operations can be undertaken. Subject to the conditions of snowmelt, as in the curbed areas, the seven non-curbed areas (A – G) are also rotated on an annual basis.
Curbed Areas
Bowl Area - Subdivisions Included
- Area 1 – Millar Addition, VLA, South Fort George
- Area 2 – Fraser View, Lansdowne, Vanbien, Seymour, DL777, Assman, Perry
- Area 3 – Nechako, Crescents, Central Fort George
- Area 4 – Quinson, Spruceland
- Area 5 – Highland, Highglen, Lakewood
- Area 6 – Heritage, Foothills
- Area 7 – Westwood, Pinecone, Pinewood
Outlying Area - Subdivisions Included
- Area A – Peden Hill, Charella Gardens, Starlane, College Heights
- Area B – Lalonde, Lafreniere, Parkridge, Nolan, Haldi, Western Acres
- Area C – Cranbrook Hill, North Nechako
- Area D – Hart Highlands, Highland Drive, S. Kelly, West and East Austin, Foothills to Chief Lake Road
- Area E – PG Pulpmill Rd., Northwood Pulp Mill Road, Noranda, Foothills
- Area F – Boeing, Giscome
- Area G – Willow Forest, Sintich, Pacific Avenue
Curbed Areas Priority
Priority for sweeping curbed areas will change annually for equity throughout the City. Areas will be swept in ascending order:
- Area 1 – (2019) Millar Addition, VLA, South Fort George
- Area 2 – (2020) Fraser View, Lansdowne, Vanbien, Seymour, DL777, Assman, Perry
- Area 3 – (2021) Nechako, Crescents, Central Fort George
- Area 4 – (2022) Quinson, Spruceland
- Area 5 – (2023) Highland, Highglen, Lakewood
- Area 6 – (2024) Heritage, Foothills
- Area 7 – (2025) Westwood, Pinecone, Pinewood
- Area A – (2019) Peden Hill, Charella Gardens, Starlane, College Heights
- Area B – (2020) Lalonde, Lafreniere, Parkridge, Nolan, Haldi, Western Acres
- Area C – (2021) Cranbrook Hill, North Nechako
- Area D – (2022) Hart Highlands, Highland Drive, S. Kelly, West and East Austin, Foothills to Chief Lake Road
- Area E – (2023) PG Pulpmill Rd., Northwood Pulp Mill Road, Noranda, Foothills
- Area F – (2024) Boeing, Giscome
- Area G – (2025) Willow Forest, Sintich, Pacific Avenue
Air Quality and Sweeping
The City operates its sweeping operations to minimize dust. Prince George's Clean Air Bylaw regulates sweeping on highways and private property. In addition, the Government of British Columbia also monitors air quality and issues advisories and readings.