Moncton plans to clear snow from more sidewalks around schools

Moncton councillors have approved a new sidewalk snow clearing plan to boost clearing around schools and transit stops. 

Don Morehouse, the city's director of public works, told reporters Monday evening that the changes focus on increasing efforts around kindergarten to Grade 8 schools. 

Morehouse said the city is aiming to clear all sidewalks within half a kilometre of those schools. In the past, the city may have only cleared a sidewalk on one side of the street. 

The city also will clear sidewalks adjacent to all transit stops.

"Transit is becoming a highly used service in the city and we want to make sure it's supported in the winter time," Morehouse said.

The city has 488 kilometres of sidewalks, with 305 cleared in the winter. The changes mean 16 more kilometres will be cleared this winter.

The changes came after several councillors voiced concerns about young children walking on the street because sidewalks weren't cleared. 

"I really appreciate seeing this happen," Coun. Paul Richard, who advocated for the change, said during Monday's council meeting. 

Morehouse said further changes may be discussed at the city's 2025 budget deliberations, expected to take place later this month.

The unanimous vote followed a discussion at a committee meeting last week. A staff presentation at that Oct. 28 meeting outlined several options and their costs, accounting for equipment and staff:

• Clearing 65 per cent next year would increase city spending by $657,000.
• Clearing 70 per cent next year to help meet targets set in the city's active transportation plan would cost $922,000.
• Clearing 73 per cent next year under an ambitious plan would cost $1.4 million. 

Morehouse said the issue will be an important topic when council considers the municipal budget this fall.

"The city is growing," he said. "We are seeing a lot of of more people using the sidewalks. And so we've got to make sure they're properly constructed, maintained and looked after."