Help clear the way for a clean sweep

KELOWNA – Spring has sprung around the Central Okanagan and the City of Kelowna is preparing for its annual street sweep. A clean sweep needs cooperation and residents are asked to move their vehicles and portable sports equipment including basketball hoops and hockey nets, off the road. This helps crews efficiently clean the street by ensuring the sweepers can reach right to the curbs.

“Sweeping makes a safer and smoother ride for cyclists and motorists as it removes the sand and dirt left behind by winter,” said Stephen Bryans, Roadways Supervisor. “Residents are also encouraged to sweep the debris from sidewalks and boulevards out to the curbside so that it is picked up too.”

Sweeping will start in the town centres before proceeding to the lower levels of the city like the Springfield area and then onto the higher elevations such as Black Mountain, Dilworth and the Upper Mission. Signage will be placed before scheduled sweeping starts to alert neighbours that sweepers will be in the area.

All roads in the City’s maintenance area are anticipated to be swept by mid-May, weather permitting.

The City is committed to quality customer service and the safety of residents. Sweepers will be cleaning a total of 1,600 lane kilometres of road, including bike lanes.

Residents are also advised that crews are out patching potholes and to please be patient as the freeze-thaw patterns have created an above average amount. Highway 97 and 33 are maintained by Ministry of Transportation and residents can report potholes and other highway problems at www.drivebc.ca and select the “Report a Highway Problem” option on the left-hand side.

For more information on the City’s roadway maintenance, visit whttp://www.kelowna.ca/transportation.