Late shift for snow-plowing crews

UPDATE — City snow-removal crews will be working in the business districts during the evenings tonight (Wednesday) and through Friday.

Targeted areas tonight include 1st Avenue through 6th Avenue, and west sections of Lorne Street and Victoria Street, while Tranquille Road will be addressed on Thursday and Friday. All work will take place between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The City said parked cars will be towed to adjacent streets.

Garbage is still being collected although there may be some delays. Carts should be placed on the street between 6 and 7 a.m. to allow snowplows to navigate residential streets during the night.

NEWS/ WEATHER — Christmas vacation ends for Kamloops school kids Wednesday as they return to classes after two extra “snow” days due to a winter storm.

Superintendent Karl deBruijn voice messaged parents tonight (Tuesday) telling them all district schools will be ready to go at the regular morning start time Wednesday, and all school bus runs are expected to be in operation.

DeBruijn said municipal, highways and school district maintenance crews have put in long hours to deal with the severe snowfall.

“All our school parking areas and walkways should be passable but there will still be challenges in the city streets around our schools,” he said.

“This may cause additional problems for traffic around our schools, especially during the pick-up and drop-off of students.”

DeBruijn encouraged parents to allow students to walk or take public transportation to school if possible.

City crews were scheduled to work in the downtown area tonight and Wednesday, targeting 1st Avenue through 6th Avenue, Seymour Street and Victoria Street, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Residents are being asked not to park on the streets in those areas during those times to allow for the machinery to effectively remove the accumulated snow.

Meanwhile, communities around Kamloops continue to struggle with snow removal as well, as Ministry of Transportation contractors work to clear rural roads.

After freezing rain hit the area Tuesday, residents are hoping for some meltage as temperatures rise to just above zero Wednesday and Thursday.

However, Environment Canada forecasts a possibility of more flurries or rain showers Friday.