City of Waterloo extends parking ban, full cleanup could take weeks

Snow removal equipment is seen in Waterloo in this undated photo. (Courtesy: City of Waterloo on X)

The City of Waterloo is extending its significant weather event and street parking ban.

Parking restrictions will now be in effect until at least 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday. Any vehicles left on the streets could be ticketed or towed. If anyone believes their car may have been towed away, they are encouraged to call the Waterloo Regional Police dispatch number at 519-570-9777 to find out where their vehicle is.

In an update, the city said crews have been working around-the-clock to try to clear streets and sidewalks, but the sheer volume of snow the city received in the last few days has created challenges when it comes to finding space to store the buildup.

The city said their attention is beginning to turn from plowing to loading and hauling snow away, but it is expected to take some time. Teams will be prioritizing school zones, intersections and narrow streets to start.

“With temperatures where they are, the snow isn’t going anywhere unless we haul it away. Clearing and hauling snow is labour intensive, and if we get additional snow, we’ll be forced to pause those operations to clear roads again,” Bob Henderson, the city’s director of transportation services, said in the update.

The City of Kitchener also extended their snow event and parking ban. It will be in place until Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.