City begins spring cleanup on Winnipeg streets, sidewalks

The City of Winnipeg is taking aim at post-winter grime.

Crews will begin the annual citywide spring cleanup operation Sunday morning, sweeping the entire street network, including back lanes, over the next five to six weeks.

Crews will initially focus on the downtown area, major routes, bridges and overpasses.

During the $6-million operation, sidewalks, active transportation pathways, boulevards and medians will also be swept on main routes, bus routes and collector streets.

As well, crews will cleanup litter and debris within city parks. Cleanup of boulevards in residential areas will only be done where there is excessive accumulation of sand.

Each year, city crews clean up more than 45,000 tonnes of sand and debris that accumulated over the winter.

The spring cleanup operation involves more than 300 pieces of equipment and 500 staff, including both city crews and contractors.