
Manitoba finds itself bracing for an early surge of the winter season, signaling a forced halt to an unusually bustling construction phase in Winnipeg.
Mack Parman, a partial proprietor of the Eadha Bakery Worker Co-op, known for its sourdough on Ellice Avenue, was witness to the detriments of continuous road construction. Parman had to close shop for 10 days due to limited entryways, resulting in a significant reduction in revenue. Reflecting on this, Parman suggests, “The inability to remain open has certainly impacted our profitability.”
This year saw an increase in road construction activities around the summer. Ken Allen, the spokesperson for Winnipeg’s public works department, reports that “Over 200 projects, including reconstruction work, have been undertaken this year.”
However, nature’s wrath in the form of snow and chilly weather threatens to bring construction work to a standstill. An abrupt switch from fall weather was marked by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) snowfall warning Tuesday, with regions like Brandon, Morden, Winkler and Virden bracing for impact. It is predicted that the low-pressure system from Montana would migrate into southwestern Manitoba by Wednesday morning, further advancing towards the Red River Valley. The snow is expected to dwindle by daybreak.
Those in proximity with the American border can anticipate close to 20 cm of snow over the next 24 hours. This isn’t, however, the end of the snow-affect, with a succeeding ‘snowfall event’ predicted to start Thursday evening.
Residents are being prepared for the forthcoming harsh winters, urged to take precautions for winter driving and plunging temperatures. Yet untimely snowfall could make travel precarious at times, with roads, highways, sidewalks and parking lots potentially difficult for navigation.
The city’s readiness for the impeding snow is affirmed by Allen, saying, “You’ll see our salting crew addressing vital routes–main roads, bus routes, bridges, collector streets, and underpasses–to enhance traction, as soon as it begins snowing.”
He further advises, “Motorists must adapt to winter driving conditions, driving with caution to afford additional stopping distance.”
The city has also made improvements in the way snow is cleared this year, introducing 15 new sidewalk plows for dealing with snow-covered pathways. Allen says there is a change in policy as well, and instead of clearing pathways once eight centimeters of snow has fallen, they will now tackle it after a mere five centimeters of accumulation.
“As a result, these residential pathways and sidewalks will see more frequent clearances, depending greatly on the type of snow we receive,” he says.
About 90% of the construction work planned will be or has been completed, with some projects extending to 2024. Meanwhile, the distraction of roadwork surrenders to the comforting rhythm of the bakery back in action for Parman.
Parman expresses an eagerness to welcome his customers, old and new, back saying, “We hope that not only our regular patrons who may have thought we were still closed, but also anyone who wishes to try us, will join us now that we are open.”