2024-01-14 13:24:14
The City of Montreal has been the subject of criticism since the recent accumulations of snow, while it is accused of prioritizing the maintenance of cycle paths rather than the maintenance of sidewalks. His administrative spokesperson wanted to rectify the situation.
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The metropolis has 6,000 kilometers of sidewalks, 4,000 km of roads and 700 kilometers of cycle paths.
These three roadways require separate maintenance, assures the City of Montreal.
“Many people are asking the question: ‘how is it possible, in Montreal, that the cycle paths are cleared of snow first?”, underlines Philippe Sabourin, at a press conference on Friday.
Although he understands that Montrealers are asking the question, the administrative spokesperson for the City of Montreal confirms that it is a myth.
The latter specifies that the maintenance of sidewalks is more difficult than that of cycle paths, and that the machinery used is not the same.
Joël Lemay / Agence QMI
«[Les trottoirs] it is a white material. It is a material that does not retain heat, like a ”ice pack” . Asphalt is a material that is hot, like a magic bag. It keeps the heat, so it’s easier to work with and the salt acts more quickly,” he says.
The sidewalks are cleared of snow using snowcats, while the cycle paths are cleared with four-wheel-drive vehicles.
“If we stopped using our four-wheel-drives to clear cycle paths, we would not be able to send the four-wheel-drive onto the sidewalk. It does not work!” he says.
Mr. Sabourin adds that all snow removal equipment operators “leave at the same time”.
These blue-collar workers must juggle obstacles on the sidewalks and roads as well as the vagaries of Mother Nature, he recalled.
TVA News
The teams are not idle
While 50% of the snow loading was done before the second low pressure system of the weekend, the City of Montreal will gradually resume this type of operation.
Parking bans are expected on Sunday and in the coming days.
“We ask you immediately to be vigilant, to look outside [pour savoir] if there is an operation in progress. If there is an operation in your borough and the sidewalk is not acceptable, do not hesitate to contact the City,” recommends Philippe Sabourin.
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