It has been a late start to the street sweeping schedule in Steinbach.

Randy Reimer is Head of Public Works. He says because of the weather, they couldn't start as early as normal. And because overnight lows are still so cold, Reimer says they haven't been able to run long days yet.

"We use water for our street sweepers and with the temperatures dipping as low as they are for the nights it prevents us from starting too early," says Reimer.

He notes ideally they would sweep some of the busier streets like Main, Hespeler, Loewen and McKenzie early in the day.

According to Reimer, it normally takes four or five weeks to clean the streets, boulevards and sidewalks in the city. Public Works crews maintain 88 kilometres of asphalt roadway, 8 kilometres of concrete roadway and about 50 kilometres of sidewalks and walkways in the city. Reimer notes because of all the sand they used this winter, the cleanup process might take a little longer than normal.

"It might take a little longer but we are trying to go at it harder so that we can try and get the cleanup done as quickly as possible," he says. "Especially seeing that we've had such a late start."

Though street sweepers are out and about, Reimer says they haven't yet started to tackle boulevards. He notes they would like to allow the frost to come out of the ground. Reimer says there is a chance they will get going on that this week yet.

The city uses two street sweepers and two boulevard sweepers. However, Reimer says they are trying to get a third boulevard sweeper.

Reimer asks motorists to be mindful of city crews at work. He stresses the importance of being visible to the driver and to slow down when approaching.