1/13/2009 7:17:10 AM

Pot Holes

As a result of the recent snow and ice conditions and cold weather, all municipalities in the Lower Mainland are experiencing a high number of potholes in their roads. The formation of potholes is made worse by cold temperatures.

The potholes cannot be repaired on a permanent basis during the cold weather. City crews install temporary patches that do not hold in place very well during the cold weather, making it necessary to re-patch potholes repeatedly until the warm weather returns. Currently, the City has at least 6 crews working on patching potholes throughout the City. City crews are repairing significant potholes on the City’s major roads as a first priority. Potholes that are located in more minor roads or are relatively shallow will be addressed as resources permit.

To report a pothole, please call the City of Surrey's Service Request line at 604-591-4152, or place an online service request at .

Please note due to high volumes, it may take up to a few days for a City crew to repair a reported pothole.
Waste Collection Services
Please be advised that due to the severe weather conditions throughout the City over the past few weeks, waste collection services have been missed in a number of areas. In cases, where collections were missed, residents are permitted to place their previous week's waste materials (up to 2 cans) at curb side along with the current week’s waste materials (up to 2 cans) for collection. It is expected that waste collection service will be back to normal in all areas of the City by next week. During the week of January 5th (this week), if for some reason waste is not collected on the normal day for your neighbourhood, please leave it out on the following day and every effort will be made to collect it on the following day.

If your materials not collected either on your regular collection day or the following day, please contact the City's Garbage and Recycling Hotline at 604-590-7289 or submit a service request on the City of Surrey' website at .

Given the current forecast, waste services will resume back to normal commencing next week.
Flooding

City staff will continue to address drainage and flooding problems as the snow melts in conjunction with rainfall over the next several days.

Residents can assist the City in minimizing localized flooding by taking the following actions:

1. If you are aware of a catch basin located on your street adjacent to your property, we ask that you remove any snow from its surface. Snow covered catch basins prevent the melting snow from properly draining into the City's storm sewer system. This may result in water ponding and potentially impacting properties within close proximity to the catch basins.

2. Please clear any drains you may have on your own property to ensure that water drains away from your house.
3. Motorists should take extra precautions when travelling through the City. Puddles on streets may be deeper than what they appear and may cause loss of vehicle control.

4. Please stay away from all streams and fast flowing waters, as the increase in water volume will make water flow faster and stronger than usual.

5. Please watch for falling ice and snow from roofs, as the warmer, wet weather will cause existing snow pack on roofs to become unstable and potentially dangerous to those passing nearby.

6. Road flooding can be reported to the City at 604-591-4152, or by sending a service request via the City of Surrey website at .

7. Most importantly, take every caution to ensure your safety and that of your friends and neighbours.

Road Closures
The large volume of rainfall and snowmelt may result in road closures in the low lying areas, especially in the Bridgeview, South Westminster, Serpentine and Nicomekl flood plains.

The following roads are closed due to flooding as of January 8, 2009:

1. 111 Ave - East of 128 St, North of 128 St and South of 128 St
2. 160 St from 40 Ave - Devonshire Dr.
3. 80 Ave from 176 St - 184 St.
4. 40 Ave from 152 St - 156B St
5. 192 St from 51B Ave - Colebrook Rd.
6. Harvie Rd. from Fraser Hwy - 80 Ave.

The City will typically barricade any road that is flooded at an intersection in each direction from the flooded section of road.