January 2, 2014 by THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO – Toronto officials say it will cost more than $75 million and take up to eight weeks to clean up the thousands of tree limbs that fell during the ice storm that hit the city.
Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong says about $25 million will be spent on cleanup and another $50 million to repair and maintain the tree canopy.
He says more than 600 staff and contractors will fan out across the city starting Friday, working 12 hours a day, seven days a week to get the job done.
The city says three-person crews will clear tree debris from roadsides using chain saws and chippers while two-person forestry crews will focus on removing hanging branches that threaten power lines and walking areas.
Thousands of ice-covered tree limbs and branches fell as a result of the ice storm late last month, with many falling on hydro lines, causing massive power outages.
Mayor Rob Ford says all of those who lost power in the storm had it back as of Wednesday, adding he was proud to see how Toronto residents pulled together to get through the storm and its aftermath.
“The tremendous work done by everyone to date speaks to the calibre of people who make up this great city,” Ford said at city hall.
“We will pull together again as we move into this next phase of clean-up operations and help Toronto residents return to their everyday lives.”
Photo [above]: Toronto Hydro crews work to restore power during the afternoon on Dec. 25. (Toronto Hydro Twitter)
— blogTO (@blogTO) December 25, 2013
Here’s the most recent power outage map. #darkTO pic.twitter.com/16kSYHCjDR
— Toronto Hydro (@TorontoHydro) December 25, 2013
Two crews work to restore overhead powerlines in the Galloway/Kingston area in Scarborough. #darkTO pic.twitter.com/S1qgIZIQ2F
— Toronto Hydro (@TorontoHydro) December 24, 2013
Residents in Guildwood, spending a fourth night in sub zero temps without power #darkto #topoli pic.twitter.com/ttMJTqj9Ug
— tineaux (@tineaux) December 25, 2013
A large part of uptown Toronto still in darkness, looking eastward from Yonge & Eglinton. #darkTO #icestorm2013 pic.twitter.com/4dVk7cpV1O
— Dave Cheng (@davecheng) December 23, 2013
More crews on the way, about 195,000 customers without power in Toronto #icestorm2013 #darkTO http://t.co/CEv9VzDygi pic.twitter.com/X8nPThE9WH
— CTV National News (@CTVNationalNews) December 23, 2013
#IceStormToronto so much for the mature trees around here. pic.twitter.com/AjDTHYXqYt
— Scott McGillivray (@smcgillivray) December 22, 2013
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