Ottawa residents frustrated over snowbanks in neighbourhood
As Ottawa residents continue to dig themselves out after this week’s snowfall, drivers are having a hard time squeezing through narrow streets in residential neighbourhoods.
"The snowbanks have got to be cut down, people can’t pass,” said one driver along Mona Street in Vanier.
Several snowbanks surround the Vanier neighbourhood. Some streets were reduced to a single lane because of the heaps of snow encroaching onto the roadways.
“You can see yourself this snowbank behind me has street beneath me, has street under it and it’s about as wide as a car,” said Billie Trahan, who lives in Vanier.
A similar sight in several parts of the city after 71 cm of snow fell in Ottawa so far in January. Most of the snow has been cleared from driveways and sidewalks, but Trahan wonders where the snow will go if the snowbanks aren't removed soon.
"Our yard is where the maintenance puts all the snow from the driveway," said Trahan, pointing to her backyard. "Those piles over there is where he’ll usually put the snow and now there’s no more room."
Visibility for pedestrians is also a concern.
"These are small side roads we live on, there’s usually some degree of build up during the winter but this is pretty extreme," said Trahan’s partner, Alan.
In an email to CTV News Ottawa, the city said, "Crews have been hard at work the last few weeks clearing the new snow that’s accumulated in the city while treating icy conditions and removing the snow that had built up previously.
"Crews will continue clearing and removing snow from the transportation network, with special attention on sidewalks as well as any problem areas, and a focus on the snow removal of residential streets within the urban core over the next week. We would like to recognize staff’s amazing resilience in continuing with winter operations during a particularly challenging few weeks. The City appreciates resident’s patience, understanding and continued support while we do our best to keep the transportation network safe."
Capital Coun. Shawn Menard tweeted out a photo of the snowbanks in Old Ottawa East on Friday.
"I'm 6'6" and some of these snowbanks are taller," Menard said.
As residents wait for crews to arrive, they're also bracing for another snowfall. Environment Canada is calling for another 10 to 15 cm of snow on Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.