STORM CENTRE >>> FEBRUARY 13, 2023

TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER SERVICE NOTICES >>> Service notices will be placed in this (top) section as they are received.

TRANSIT SERVICE >>> Bridgewater Transit remains in operation currently, but will be ending service early at 6 p.m. this evening. Any further changes to transit service resulting from the weather will be communicated.

WINTER PARKING ALERT >>> During and after a storm, under Section 139 of the Motor Vehicle Act there is no parking permitted on streets. Parking a vehicle on the street will obstruct necessary winter maintenance and is a safety hazard. If you leave your vehicle parked on the street during a storm, it could be ticketed and towed at your expense -- please ensure you find off-street parking for your vehicle during and after a storm as clean-up operations take place.

LCLC CLOSING EARLY AND DELAYED OPENING ON TUESDAY >>> The LCLC will be closing at 4 p.m. today (Monday, February 13, 2023) due to weather. In order to allow for proper snow removal, the LCLC will also delay opening until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

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SNOWFALL WARNING IN EFFECT FOR LUNENBURG COUNTY >>> (Issued at 4:42 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2023.) Snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected. Locations: Queens County, Lunenburg County, Halifax County and Guysborough County, Time span: beginning late this afternoon and tapering to flurries overnight tonight.

Remarks: The snow will be wet in nature when it starts. However, as temperatures fall tonight, drier snow and blowing snow over exposed areas can be expected. The main area of snow is expected to end overnight tonight. However, flurries and strong northerly winds Tuesday morning may give areas of blowing snow and poor visibilities during the morning commute. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. Snowfall warnings are issued when significant snowfall is expected.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tweet reports using #NSStorm.

IMPORTANT SNOW CLEARING AND STORM REMINDERS >>>
 There are about 70 kms of streets and 35 kms of sidewalks in Bridgewater, so cleaning up after a storm takes time. Be patient and, if possible, please stay off the roads until snow clearing has taken place. This makes it easier for plow operators and lessens the potential burden on emergency responders.

 Roads are generally salted before a storm to deter the formation of a layer of ice on asphalt below snow cover.

 Plowing generally begins when snow cover on primary roads reaches between 5 and 7 centimeters. The remainder of plows are usually activated near the end of the storm. If a larger storm is expected (forecasts calling for more than 10 cm) plowing may begin on secondary streets prior to the end of a storm. The Town of Bridgewater's Public Works crews provide the same level of service during and after a winter storm regardless of the time of day or day of the week.

 Did you know that Bridgewater's Public Works crews can safely work a maximum of 16 hours before a required rest period? That's why a great deal of careful planning goes into the timing of when crews spring into action - to make sure they can be deployed effectively before they're required to rest.

 Bridgewater Transit drivers work with our Public Works staff to keep our transit service on the road as long as safely possible. If more than 10 cm of snow is forecast, transit service may be delayed. Keep up to date on all impacts to Town services during a storm via the Town's social media or app, or in our Storm Centre at bridgewater.ca/storm.

AFTER THE STORM >>>
 0-12 Hours -- Crews begin clearing streets in force near the conclusion of a storm, starting with main arteries and hills in Bridgewater. Our job is to ensure that emergency vehicles have basic access to every area of our community. In an emergency, plowing crews coordinate with police, fire, and paramedics to ensure immediate access as required.

 12-24 hours -- Crews work on sidewalk maintenance, starting first near Bridgewater's school zones. Crews also "wing back" snow or ice on streets and begin removal of snow from parking areas downtown, allowing our local businesses to resume normal operation as soon as possible.

 24-48 hours -- Sidewalk maintenance and additional winging back of snow cover on streets continues during this period, with additional sanding and salting as required by conditions.

+48 hours -- Crews focus on additional work around bus stops, crosswalks, and fire hydrants.

 CLOSED STREETS -- If you encounter a street that has been barricaded/closed to traffic so that snow removal can take place, do NOT drive past the barricade and use that street. Travelling on streets that have been closed for snow removal is hazardous to both you and snow-clearing operators, and you may not be able to exit the work area at the other end. Please abide by street closures for snow removal and change your travel route accordingly.

 SERVICE LEVELS -- Please note that the service levels described here are based on a typical winter snowfall of 15 to 20 cm. For larger storms, or storms where freezing rain/ice are mixed in, additional post-storm cleanup time will be required. Please be patient, safe, and only make essential trips out while storm-clearing operations are taking place.

 Clearing your property -- Do not move or plow snow from your property on to a street or sidewalk. Not only is that not helpful to drivers and pedestrians alike, it's actually a violation of Section 318 of the Municipal Government Act. Under the rules in that section, no person shall deposit snow or ice on the travelled way of a street or near a portion of the travelled way that hinders clearing efforts. That regulation extends to citizens and private contractors who have been hired to conduct snow-related property maintenance.

If you're putting out your compost cart or waste bags for pick up, please ensure that those items are not placed on the sidewalk or in a manner that could impede snow clearing or pedestrian traffic.

Plow It Forward -- If you can help out a neighbour or volunteer to clear a fire hydrant, it helps your community and our snow-clearing crews. Did you know there are about 500 fire hydrants in Bridgewater? Every hydrant our community can clear is a big help to our snow-clearing crews!