Large piles of snow on roads and walkways are a common sight in Regina, leaving many residents wondering who is responsible for the cleanup.
Due to large amounts of snowfall in the Regina area, the snow buildup in some residential areas has taken over parking lanes. Driving lanes have also become narrower.
“We don’t see very many walkers around here. Even when I go to the neighbours, I have to walk in the middle of the street,” said Judith Mellon, a resident of the Albert Park neighborhood.
Some driving lanes have become deeply rutted due to the snow, but drivers are also having visibility concerns due to the high snow piles.
“The boulevards in the middle of the road can cause an issue especially when driving,” said Eden Roth, a Regina driver.
“I’m in a small car and low to the ground, I have trouble seeing around them. It’s a little risky going through intersections,” she added.
Warm weather is being forecasted for Regina, which is a cause for concern for one resident who is questioning where the snow piles will go.
“Thinking about future melting, are we going to have flooding? How’s that going to affect the foundation of the house and neighborhood?” said the Cathedral neighborhood resident.
The City of Regina provided a statement explaining their process after a snowfall.
“After a snowfall of more than 5 cm, the city plows Category 1, 2, and 3 roads within 48 hours, placing snow in medians or parking lanes to keep driving lanes clear. Snow ridges remain in parking lanes after plowing,” the statement read.
According to the city, full snow removal is only conducted in critical areas where snow accumulation affects traffic flow, sightlines, school unloading zones, downtown, hospitals, transit stops, and accessibility spaces.
“City teams have been actively removing snow from key roadways over the past weeks. Removing all snow ridges citywide would require an additional seven weeks and cost more than $10 million in equipment, staffing, contractors, and advertising. Instead, the focus remains on ensuring clear driving lanes and targeted snow removal in high-priority areas,” the statement read.
According to the statement, City of Regina crews make every effort to minimize the size of snow ridges during plowing operations, and property owners may choose to clear them for better access to on-street parking.
“While on-street parking is available in many areas, it may not always be guaranteed in winter months due to the need to store snow. Residents without a driveway can park as close as possible to the snow ridge, ensuring they do not encroach on driving lanes. They may also clear a space for easier access,” the statement read.
According to the City of Regina website, they recommend chipping ice away from storm drains to prevent flooding.
