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
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.