A cyclist braves the snowy elements on Portage Avenue Friday, January 28, 2011. (MARC EVANS / CHRISD.CA)
A convoy of snow plows clear Winnipeg streets on Friday, January 28, 2011. (MARC EVANS / CHRISD.CA)
An Alberta clipper is walloping Manitoba today, creating havoc on the streets and making for sore backs from shovelling the large accumulation of snow.
The City of Winnipeg has plows on the streets clearing all major routes, as well as salting to alleviate icy conditions. The Major Snowfall Parking Ban will be in effect for one night only from midnight to 6 a.m. tonight. Public Works will begin clearing residential streets on Saturday, therefore implementing the Residential Overnight Parking Ban from midnight to 6 a.m. until completed.
Plowing of back lanes will begin Saturday at 8 a.m., while plowing of sidewalks is currently underway. The cost of this latest cleanup is using about 350 pieces of equipment at an estimated cost of $4.5 million.
About 15 centimetres has fallen on Winnipeg since late Thursday night, making for treacherous road conditions inside and outside city limits.
RCMP have advised motorists to stay off Highway 6 north of Selkirk due to poor visibility and whiteout conditions. Travel on Highway 7 and 9 in the Interlake also isn’t recommended.
By mid-morning, RCMP were reporting multiple collisions along Highway 1 near Portage la Prairie, and Manitoba Highways was issuing several advisories for other routes throughout the province.
Travel on Highway 10 through Riding Mountain National Park wasn’t advised this morning due to icy conditions, making it difficult for trucks to make it up the various hills that make up the scenic drive through the park.
Highway 16 from Shoal Lake to the Saskatchewan border was closed, while Highway 45 from Russell to Rosburn was also shut down.
Watch the driving conditions throughout Winnipeg:
Snowfall warnings had ended for most of the province by Friday afternoon.
Back in the city, Handi-Transit is experiencing about 30-40 minute delays. Passengers who wish to cancel their rides are asked to call (204) 986-5711.
Arrivals and departures at James Richardson International Airport are also an issue. The latest information on delayed flights can be found at WAA.ca.
If you’re worried about what impact this latest dumping may have on spring flooding, there’s little to fret about. Provincial forecasters included this accumulation in their forecast released earlier this week, so not much has changed.
ChrisD.ca video/WpgCameraMan
Updated at 3:10 p.m. with further information.
