Port Coquitlam is often praised for its snow removal. Now it has a real-time tracker

When will Port Coquitlam plow a road? Check the new snow tracker

The snow tracker is the latest technology that the City of Port Coquitlam has added to its arsenal for snow removal.

A snow plow in the City of Port Coquitlam.CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM

Port Coquitlam residents wondering when the city’s snow plow will clear their street will be able to see the action in real time.

The municipality has added snowplow tracking software, allowing residents to see where plows are and the neighbourhoods they’ve visited.

Similar technology is used in Maple Ridge and Surrey.

David Kidd, PoCo’s manager of public works, announced the public online portal at this week’s committee of council meeting, saying city crews are ready for the predicted La Nina blast of cold, wet weather this winter.

Besides the snow tracker tool, the city has added specialized equipment to its fleet and trained staff on route priorities. They are:

first priority
- main and arterial roads, steep hills and school zones with hills
second priority
- bus routes, schools in flat zones, collectors roads
third priority
- residential streets, industrial side streets and back lanes

B.C.’s transportation ministry is responsible for snow plowing on the Mary Hill Bypass and sections of Lougheed Highway (7).

As for ground clearance, city workers tackle the snow on sidewalks, around municipal buildings and in public parking lots first before heading to the trails and civic parks.

Kidd said in times of emergency, his aim is to ensure there is enough city staff to meet demand and to pace their workload.

High praise for PoCo

Over the years, residents and visitors to Port Coquitlam have praised the municipality for its nearly bare roads during a snow storm; it uses an in-house brine as a road pre-treatment before the flakes fall.

Last year, Kidd said, PoCo was the only city in the Lower Mainland not to miss a curbside collection.

Mayor Brad West said the city’s response to snow clearing is the most common compliment he hears — especially “when they cross Westwood Street,” he said, referring to Coquitlam's side.

“It’s a core service and I think we do it very, very well,” he said.

Currently, PoCo has 25,000 litres of brine and 850 tonnes of salt at the public works yard, Kidd said.

Meanwhile, PoCo residents and business owners are required to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks by 10 a.m. after a snowfall. The city will issue $150 fines for each offence to those who flout the bylaw.

For more information on snow removal and winter preparation in Port Coquitlam, visit portcoquitlam.ca/snow, use the PoCo Sort & Report app to report service issues or call 604-927-3111.