Ontario officials ask that drivers be aware of changes to the intersection of Walker Lake Road and Lexington-Springmill Road. The city has also provided other traffic information regarding road salt and snow guidelines.
The second left hand turn lane coming from Walker Lake onto Lex-Springmill Road from the East (in front of Taco Bell and GFS), has now been made a “left turn” as well as a “go straight” lane. Signs have been posted and the lights have been changed. There will be additional overhead signage posted by mid-November.
Motorists are asked to exercise caution when merging in all lanes of this intersection as drivers become familiar with this change. As drivers proceed through the intersection they are reminded to keep in mind that there are now two through-lanes, and to use caution before changing lanes.
These changes are part of Ontario’s ongoing efforts to make this a safer and less congested traffic area, especially during the holiday shopping season.
Availability of salt for the upcoming winter season has caused the City of Ontario to adjust the way they maintain roads. The current supply is approximately 75 percent of what is used in a normal winter. If weather conditions are similar to last year, only about 59 percent of needed material is on hand.
Plowing of snow will be done the same as in past years. Salting the roads will require the following procedural changes: the city will salt main roads (painted roads) as it’s been done in past years. In less extreme ice conditions, the city will only salt bridges, intersections, and hills.
On side streets, the city will only salt bridges, intersections, & hills. If it becomes necessary, the city can use a treated GRIT material to help maintain the side streets. This is a product that is available locally, and can be obtained as needed.
The Ontario Street Department will make additional adjustments as deemed necessary as they progress through the winter. The city will also continue to try to identify sources for more salt as supply is depleted.
If needed, the city will implement snow ban parking. In conditions of two or more inches of snow, the ban will be announced. The city will make the announcement through the city’s Facebook page, the Ontario Police Department Facebook page and local radio and TV. The snow ban prohibits parking on the street city-wide. Prior to taking action the police department will attempt to contact the owner and have them move their car.
The official ordinance is as follows:
351.15 PARKING PROHIBITED DURING SNOW EMERGENCY.
(a) It shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of any motor vehicle to park or to permit to remain parked such vehicle on any street within the City under the following conditions:
(1) When two or more inches of snow have fallen, and
(2) The Mayor, or in his absence, the President Pro Tempore of Council, or in his absence the Service-Safety Director has proclaimed that a snow removal emergency exists.
(b) The Mayor or, in his absence, the President Pro Tempore of Council, or in his absence the Service-Safety Director shall on the declaration of the existence of a snow removal emergency, take such steps as are reasonable under the circumstances to notify residents of the City of the existence of a snow removal emergency by notifying the local media or such other means as may be effective to communicate to residents that all motor vehicles are to be removed from the streets of the City.
(c) In addition to the penalties hereinafter provided, the Mayor or, in his absence, the President Pro Tempore of Council, or in his absence the Service-Safety Director may direct the Police Chief to arrange for the removal and storage of motor vehicles, at the expense of the owner, which are found parked in violation of this section.
(d) A snow removal emergency declared under subsection (a)(1) hereof shall remain in effect until the Mayor, or in his absence, the President Pro Tempore of Council or in his absence, the Service-Safety Director has proclaimed the snow removal emergency to be over. The notice of the end of a snow removal emergency shall be made in the same manner as the declaration of the existence of a snow removal emergency.
(e) The Mayor is directed to cause signs to be erected at appropriate locations advising of the provisions of this section.
(f) Whoever violates the provision of this section shall, in addition to paying the costs for removal and storage of their motor vehicle, be guilty of a minor misdemeanor for the first offense and upon a second or subsequent offense within one year of the first, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 99-6. Passed 2-4-99.)