HRM pulls transit off of the road, asks drivers to avoid unnecessary travel as storm hammers city(8 photos)

CITYnews halifax / By Dan Ahlstrand

It will be a stormy weekend for most in Nova Scotia, including HRM. Environment Canada has extended a snowfall warning for central parts of the province as upwards of 30 cm of snow is expected to fall Saturday through Sunday.

Environment Canada said at 11am Saturday that HRM will see an additional 10-15 cm of snow through the day, 5 cm more Saturday night, followed by 5-10 cm on Sunday. Gusty winds are also expected through the weekend, gusting between 60-70 km/h at times.

HRM is asking residents ato avoid unnecessary travel Saturday due to poor driving conditions and to allow crews to continue snow clearing operations safely.

The municipality says that it’s crews are focused on clearing Priority 1 routes, which include main arterials, emergency routes and Halifax Transit routes. Crews will also continue to clear Priority 2 routes, which include residential streets, gravel roads and private lanes.

The weekend weather continues to impact some services in HRM:

Halifax Transit:

All Halifax Transit bus, Access-A-Bus and ferry service will be suspended as of 1 p.m. Saturday for the remainder of the day. Any bus trips that start before 1 p.m. will be completed, as well as any Access-A-Bus return trips.

Parks & Recreation:

Most municipal recreation facilities will be closed for the remainder of the day. A decision will be made at 7 p.m. tonight regarding opening times tomorrow.

The Halifax Public Gardens are closed today.

Overnight winter parking ban:

The overnight winter parking ban will continue to be enforced (in both Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central) on Sunday, February 4, from 1 to 6 a.m.

Solid Waste:
Residents are reminded that curbside collection of solid waste scheduled for Saturday (rescheduled from Monday, January 29) is cancelled due to the winter storm. It will not be rescheduled. The collection schedule will return to its normal cycle on Monday, February 5, weather depending.

Please retrieve any waste placed curbside so as not to interfere with snow clearing operations.

Collection limits will be relaxed for Monday  for the missed collection day.

The Middle Musquodoboit and Sheet Harbour Rural Refuse Depots, as well as the permanent Household Special Depot located at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, are closed Saturday.

Support for those experiencing homelessness:

The Province of Nova Scotia is providing additional emergency supports for those experiencing homelessness within the temporary emergency shelters located at the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum (6210 Young Street) and Beacon House (125 Metropolitan Avenue) in Lower Sackville.

Capacity at all shelters will be reassessed over the weekend.

The Halifax Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) team is conducting wellness checks over the weekend to assess the safety of anyone who chooses not to leave an outdoor sheltering location. GSAR is also offering transportation for those sleeping rough to emergency shelters during this weather event.

Snow impacting entire province

Areas to the north of HRM, like Colchester and Pictou Counties and into Cape Breton, are under a winter storm warning. Snowfall amounts in these areas are expected to reach 30-50 cm with the potential of up to 80 cm over higher elevations in Cape Breton.

Regions to the south and west of HRM are under special weather statements, and 10-15 cm of snow is forecast.