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City of Lethbridge will not clear snow from public pathways

Jan 11, 2017 | 3:29 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  The City of Lethbridge is not responsible for clearing public walkways and thoroughfares between homes even if there are complaints, including potential safety concerns.
 
Ron Tinordi, Parks and Operations Coordinator, says crews will only clear the portion of sidewalk adjacent to the roadway. “Those parts that go through the walkways, those we do not do, and I’m just guessing, but we probably have 50 of those throughout the city.”
 
“They are great shortcuts, and in the summer we look after them….. come winter time they are not snow removal friendly. For one, they are low on our priority (list)……and we can’t just clear the snow like we do the sidewalks.”
 
Tinordi explains that most walkways are in a V-drainage shape and when the snow melts, then freezes again, they will hold water in, so they actually become even more dangerous.
 
There have been complaints that the city hasn’t cleared many public pathways, including those near schools. At least one of those complainants was told to “clear the sidewalks themselves if they’re so concerned about their condition.”
 
Tinordi says while that’s not the way those with concerns should be addressed, they can’t do much about snow piling up in those walkways.