FAQs

The responsibility for sidewalk maintenance in front of schools or within school zones falls under the purview of the school division, in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Traffic Bylaw.

The City does not haul snow from residential streets because it’s incredibly expensive. To provide this service, it would necessitate an expenditure of $840,000 per storm or an annual expenditure of $4.2 million. For perspective, the City’s entire snow budget is currently allocated at $577,000.

The City prioritizes the clearance of sidewalks that are equipped with a boulevard, while others are intentionally left uncleared to serve as snow retention areas. Additionally, resource constraints and budget limitations hinder our ability to clear all sidewalks.

The City’s decision to not utilize signage for the purpose of giving residents a 24-hour notice before street cleaning primarily stems from considerations related to resource allocation, budget constraints, and efficiency improvements. In this regard, the implementation of the Voyent Alert Notification app, our website and social media channels has yielded more effective results in disseminating timely information to residents regarding street clearing activities.

The City’s engagement of contractors for snow removal is primarily driven by the need to consistently maintain the current standard of service delivery. While the City does possess its own staff and equipment resources, they are limited in capacity relative to the extensive coverage required across the entire city. In order to effectively address the demand, the City collaborates with contractors to ensure comprehensive snow removal operations.

The City’s scheduling of residential street cleaning during nighttime hours is primarily driven by considerations of safety and traffic flow. Conducting these operations when there are fewer vehicles on the road enhances safety for both the cleaning crews and the general public, ultimately resulting in more efficient and effective cleaning processes.

Reflective snow markers are available at many local retailers and can be an inexpensive way to help mark the driveway boundary, especially in high-traffic areas. Snow markers also help to guide road plows and sidewalk plows during storms and can protect properties from potential damage to the lawn. 

The pathways are managed by the Parks department, and they operate on a distinct schedule with specialized equipment, which often leads to their clearance before some of the city streets.

The City currently deploys snow fences in specific areas that have been identified as problematic. Residents can also contribute by reaching out via phone or email to suggest locations where snow fences may be needed. If such requests are deemed valid, the City will consider incorporating them into the planning process.

As per the City's Snow Policy, sidewalks that are directly beside the street are used as snow storage during the winter months. This approach is employed to prevent roads from becoming excessively narrow, which could lead to traffic flow issues. Without this snow retention strategy, the City would be compelled to undertake costly snow hauling operations, which would significantly strain the budget. 

The City does indeed have a procedure to clear ridges from driveways after street plowing. It’s important to note that the unit responsible for driveway clearance typically arrives within approximately one hour after road plowing to service all driveways in the area.

The allocation of priority for sanding areas aligns with the established plowing map, commencing with urban connectors, followed by first and second priority roads, roundabouts, and concluding with four-way stop intersections.

If we are notified of any icy intersections, our crews will sand/salt that area in a timely fashion. 

We do not conduct winter maintenance for all back lanes. Our focus is primarily on the cleaning of back lanes within the downtown core and residential areas, particularly those that serve as primary access routes to properties. The selection of these priority lanes is based on specific usage considerations.

The responsibility for sidewalk maintenance in front of businesses lies with the respective businesses themselves, in accordance with the regulations stipulated in the traffic bylaw.

The City’s practice of snow placement on residential lawns is conducted with specific considerations, primarily driven by logistical constraints. Our utmost effort is devoted to minimizing snow accumulation on lawns to preserve their condition to the greatest extent possible.

The plowing operation follows a hierarchy system. Initially, snowplows prioritize clearing main roads like arterial roads. After that, they move on to secondary roads such as collector roads and bus routes. Local roads, like small crescents and cul-de-sacs, are addressed last. This hierarchy ensures that essential services like hospitals, police, ambulance, and fire services on arterial roads can continue to operate smoothly.

The maintenance and management of the intersections at Highway 9 and Broadway, as well as Highway 9 and York Road, fall under the purview of the City’s jurisdiction. These intersections are maintained and looked after by the City.

The responsibility for snow removal and ice control along sidewalks in downtown areas, in accordance with the traffic bylaw, lies with downtown businesses. The efficacy of salting and sanding operations is intricately tied to ambient temperature thresholds. Specifically, salt application is effective up to temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, beyond which sand becomes the preferred medium for traction enhancement. However, it is imperative to note that when temperatures plummet to a frigid -40 degrees Celsius, both salting and sanding operations become markedly less effective.

The Parks department is responsible for the maintenance of pedestrian pathways, while the Public Works department is tasked with overseeing the upkeep of sidewalks.

In residential areas, we usually only start snow hauling later in the spring, mainly to help with drainage problems. The exact amounts of snow that trigger snow hauling might differ depending on the current height of the banks. But generally, it is initiated when snow accumulation reaches a level where plowing alone cannot effectively address the concerns related to drainage, safety, and mobility within the residential community.  

Clearing snow away from storm sewer catch basins near your property greatly reduces the chance of your street flooding in the springtime.

Dumping snow into the street, lane or onto City-owned property, including ditches or green spaces is not allowed as per our Traffic Bylaw.

Extra snow on City streets can make it hard for vehicles to drive through before the snow plows are able to clear the streets. Also, by moving snow from your property onto City property or streets, you may be unintentionally contributing to drainage issues in the springtime. 

When a snow route parking ban is officially declared, it is imperative that all vehicles parked on the designated streets are promptly relocated to comply with the 72-hour ban. This practice serves multiple purposes: it ensures the safety of our snow removal crews as they work to clear the roadways, and it enables them to conduct thorough curb-to-curb cleaning without navigating around obstacles or inadvertently obstructing vehicles.

To facilitate a smooth transition, advance notice will be provided for all Snow Route Parking Bans, affording the public ample time to relocate their vehicles to alternative parking locations. In the event that a vehicle is left unattended on a street subject to a designated Snow Route Parking Ban while the ban is in effect, enforcement measures such as ticketing may be enforced to maintain compliance with these crucial regulations. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep our streets clear and safe during winter weather events.

In our ongoing commitment to ensuring road safety during winter weather conditions, our Roadways crew diligently works to clear the roadways, allowing motorists to travel safely to their destinations. When you encounter a snow plow in operation, it is essential to exercise caution and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle.

Snow plow operators are tasked with a multitude of responsibilities, including monitoring the road, assessing the snow conditions, and identifying potential obstacles and hazards. Their focus is on ensuring the safety and accessibility of the roadways. Consequently, they may not immediately see vehicles approaching from behind.

By providing ample space and maintaining a safe following distance from snow plows, we can collectively contribute to the safety of our roads and enhance the effectiveness of snow removal operations. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work together to navigate winter weather challenges with safety as our utmost priority.