Charlottetown sidewalk plows: By the numbers

15 plows operate throughout the capital city in the winter

Image | Sidewalk plow behind snow bank Charlottetown

Caption: Sidewalk plow operators in Charlottetown were called out at midnight this week, and worked all night to clear sidewalks. (Pat Martel/CBC)

With fresh snow hitting the Island this week, Charlottetown's fleet of sidewalk plows has already had its first workout of the winter.
Here's a look at some of the numbers behind the plows.

Image | Sidewalk plow Charlottetown

Caption: The city has a total of 15 sidewalk plows to call on after a snowfall. The city owns eight plows and contracts out the other seven. (Pat Martel/CBC)

200 kms of sidewalk

Charlottetown's sidewalk plows clear more than 200 kilometres of sidewalk across the city.

15 plows

There are 15 sidewalk plows, including seven on contract, that operate throughout the city.

Image | Inside cab of Charlottetown sidewalk plow

Caption: The cabs of Charlottetown sidewalk plows are heated to keep the operators warm on cold days. (Pat Martel/CBC)

4 hours per section

Each operator is assigned a section of the city that takes about 4 hours to clear.
All sidewalk plows are equipped with snowblowers for clearing deep snow. Sidewalks along major routes, such as University Avenue, have priority over side streets.

Image | Sidewalk plow on Walthen Drive Charlottetown

Caption: Sidewalks along major routes, such as University Avenue, have priority over side streets. (Pat Martel/CBC)

12 a.m.

Depending on the amount of snow, plow crews may get a midnight call to work all night. Sidewalk plow operators say it's easier to clean at night when there are fewer pedestrians.

Image | Sidewalk plow Charlottetown

Caption: Each sidewalk plow operator is assigned a section of the city that takes about 4 hours to clear. (Pat Martel/CBC)