City slammed with calls during Winnipeg weekend snow removal

The City of Winnipeg continues to get slammed by a "high volume of calls" related to snow clearing after the first residential parking ban of the season.

Snow plows and tractors were out in full force oncity streetsSaturday and Sunday night as part of the "Know Your Zone" snow clearing program. The city's 311 line has been ringing off the hook all weekend as a result, a city spokesperson said in a statement Monday.

Normally the average wait times to get through to an operator at 311 rangebetween three and five minutes. Wait times have spiked, however,and the city said the average caller on Monday has had to waitbetween 30 and 45 minutes beforegetting a hold of an operator, the spokesperson added.

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"We appreciate the public's patience while we provide information and service relating to this major snow clearing operation, along with all other City services," the city said in a statement.

Anyone caught waiting on the line can opt to have 311 call them back or email the city at311@winnipeg.ca. Inquiries and questions can also be registered on the city's website.

The city justlaunched a new app over the weekend designed to help vehicle owners given a "courtesy tow" to track down where their vehicles were moved,South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Coun. Janice Lukes saidSunday.

Tow truck drivers used the app for the first time during snow clearing efforts Saturdaynight. When a vehicle needs to be moved out of the way of the snow plows, the tow truck driver presses a button on his phone to log the GPS co-ordinates of the vehicle's location and where it will be towed.