Objectives
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To reduce the hazards of snowy and icy road conditions to motorists.
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To maintain safe, passable routes for emergency vehicles, school buses, public transit and other users of the transportation system.
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To reduce economical losses to the community and industry caused by workers not being able to get to their job.
Definitions
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Arterial Streets: Main thoroughfares.
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Collector Streets: Roads collecting residential road traffic and feeding into arterial roads.
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Residential Roads: Low traffic residential neighbourhood roads.
Priorities and Levels of Service
Priority #1 - CLASS 1
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Class 1 (mainly arterial) streets that carry large volumes of traffic and also connect to the County highways. Also included are emergency routes such as fire and hospital routes. Examples: William, King, and Division Streets
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These streets will be cleared first and the bare pavement restored as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to ensure that the maximum snow accumulation at any time will not exceed 5 cm. and that curb-to-curb bare pavement conditions are restored as soon as possible.
Priority #2 – CLASS 2
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Class 2 (mainly collector) streets that typically carry less traffic than arterial roads and connect Class 1 streets to Class 3 streets. Also included in this category are bus routes. Examples: Chipping Park Boulevard and Westwood Drive.
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Class 2 streets will be cleared after the criteria have been met on Class 1 streets. Every effort will be made to ensure that maximum allowable snow accumulation will not exceed 8 cm. and that centre bare pavement conditions are achieved.
Priority #3 - CLASS 3
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Class 3 streets are residential streets that are characterized by vehicles going to and from specific addresses. Examples: Frei Street and Daintry Crescent
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Class 3 streets will be cleared after the criteria have been met on Class 1 and 2 streets. Every effort will be made to ensure that snow accumulation does not exceed 15 cm. Generally these streets are not cleared until after the storm has ended and during normal working hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are cul-de-sacs always the last to be plowed?
Answer: Due to their design, cul-de-sacs pose a challenge to snowplow equipment. First the roads are plowed to the cul-de-sac. Later, specialized equipment must be brought in to remove the snow from the cul-de-sac. Since this process is so time consuming, these roads are generally the last to be fully cleared.
2. The plow only made one pass down my street and didn’t clear it completely. When will they come back?
3. I just finished plowing the driveway and the plow came by and filled it back in. What can be done about this?
Answer: Due to the difficulty of removing large amounts of snow, many people find it easier to clear the snow before it becomes too heavy. Often this is before the storm has ended and while snowplowing operations are still underway. Please understand that until the roads are completely cleared, it should be anticipated that you may have to clear your driveway several times during and after a major storm.
4. Why can’t the plow lift the blade at my driveway?
Answer: Unfortunately, the snowplow equipment is not designed for this. If the plow blade is lifted from the roadway, large patches of snow would remain creating hazardous driving conditions.
5. How is the winter parking bylaw enforced?
Answer: Click here for information regarding the Winter Parking Bylaw.
Town Staff and Equipment
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There are 10 Roads Department employees who operate the 5 plows, 1 grader, and 1 loader with plow used for snowplowing operations. Other equipment includes 2 sidewalk tractors and 1 backhoe/loader. During a major storm, all staff are called upon to assist with the snow clearing efforts; however, provincial regulations restrict equipment operators from working any longer than 15 hours in a 24 hour period.
How Can Residents Help?
For further information, please contact the Public Works Department at (905)372-9971 or call (905) 377-TOWN.
