Public Works handles infrastructure maintenance and development, including roads, water and sewer systems, street cleaning, and waste management.
You can report a concern on the home page of this website. If the concern is of urgent nature, please contact the Town Hall at (709) 944-2621 during regular business hours. After hours, please call (709) 944-7832.
Timelines for road repairs or construction can vary based on the project. The Public Works Department provides updates on this website and through social media. For specific projects, contacting the department directly might yield the most accurate information.
Road closures can occur due to scheduled maintenance, construction projects, or emergency repairs. The department usually provides notices about these closures in advance on this website, social media and depending on the closure, potentially through the Everbridge Alert System.
The Public Works Department provides special collection services for bulky items once a year during Cleanup Week. This typically occurs mid – late June. To learn the pickup time for your area, follow our social media and/or check our website for details as they become available. Hazerdous waste such as paint cans can be brought to the Labrador West Regional Landfill for proper disposal.
Missed collections can be due to various reasons, such as mechanical issues with the collection vehicles, improperly placed garbage cans, or weather conditions. Report the issue to the Public Works Department, and they may provide more information about why your trash was not collected and when to expect the next collection.
For urgent issues like water leaks or sewer backups, contact the Public Works Department immediately. During regular hours of operation, call (709) 944-2621. After hours, call (709) 944-7832.
Low water pressure or discoloration can be attributed to several possibilities. Crews may be working on hydrant flushing in your area, it could be a result of the natural lake turnover process which typically happens twice annually in the spring and in the fall, or it could be a sign of a water break. If you run your cold water for a short period of time and the water does not run clear, please report these problems to the Public Works Department so the issue can be investigated further.
The Public Works Department often communicates updates through our website, social media channels, or local community bulletins (CRRS). Sign up for newsletters and follow us on social media for the latest information.
For complaints or assistance of a non-urgent nature, you can report a concern on the home page. For immediate assistance, please contact the Town Hall at (709) 944-2621 during regular business hours. After hours, please call (709) 944-7832.
Traffic Regulation 29.
During the period from October 15 in each year to the 30th day of April in the succeeding year, both days inclusive, no person shall park an unattended vehicle, regardless of weather conditions, upon any highway/street within the limits of the Town.
All school areas and emergency access roads are priority, then the main streets followed by the off streets.
The Public Works Department monitors visibility at intersections on a regular basis throughout the winter months so the snowbank can be reduced to improve the line of sight for motorists and pedestrians.
A ridge of snow left behind by snow clearing equipment.
Windrows, as a result of street clearing operations, will not be removed by the Town.
The Town do use all three types to provide a reasonable level of safety on the roadways. Depending on the temperature, determines which type of material that will be used. Salt is mixed with sand as well; this mixture allows the material, under reasonable conditions, to stick to the icy surfaces. Even though the streets are treated during slippery conditions, the duty of care is on the drivers.
The Town do have a Snow Clearing Assistance Program. For further details visit the Town Hall located at 317 Hudson Drive or call the office at 944-2621. There is a limited number available.
Traffic Regulation 28.
No person shall deposit, throw, sweep, or place any accumulation of snow or ice on any street or any public parking lot within the limits of the Town
Out of respect for your neighbour, you should not put snow on another person’s property without their permission.
The Fire Department is responsible to keep all fire hydrants clear from snow. The Town has 320 hydrants, it can take up to 2 weeks to have all hydrants shoveled after a significant snow fall. If a hydrant is located on your property, the Fire Department would appreciate your assistance in keeping snow away from the hydrant to expedite the process.
Plowing overnight is safe and efficient with little road traffic and no cars parked on the streets. It’s important that residents adhere to the winter parking ban to assist our Public Works Department in keeping our roads clear and safe.
It’s the dreaded windrow and no one enjoys having to clear it, but our graders clear streets from the center of the street to the curb pushing right to effectively clear intersections and roadways. The roadside is designed for snow storage, and this means leaving snow across private driveways, walkways and lawns.
The Town has a robust snow removal program and prioritizes streets based on volume of traffic, school zones and more. Snow removal efforts may be temporarily halted due to weather events, as keeping roadways clear and accessible is always our top priority. Scraping our roads is a key element of our snow clearing program and helps to minimize dangerous road conditions during spring thaw. This process typically results in larger snow banks, especially on corner lots. These snow banks will be trucked to our snow dumps as promptly as possible after scraping is completed.
Snow storage can be a big challenge considering our average yearly snowfall is approximately 428.7 centimeters. With that amount of accumulated snow, it can be tricky to find enough space. The Town’s snow removal program is designed to keep our roadways and roadsides clear and improve visibility on corners and intersections. Residents who wish to remove snow from their property can acquire a permit from the Town Hall to use the Harrie Lake Snow Dump. There are also a number of local contractors that will remove snow for a fee.
It is important to note that snow must never be placed onto the street. Moving snow from your driveway onto the street can create various safety hazards, obstruct pedestrian traffic, or obstruct the view of drivers. It is also illegal to push snow across a road or street onto the other side, these are all violations under the Highway Traffic Act. Even a small amount of snow left on a roadway can cause accessibility issues for some of our residents.