Bring on the snow – City crews are ready
Snow. It’s a fact of life in Canada. And when the snow starts to fly, it can impact how we get around.
Drivers and cyclists want to have roads cleared quickly and efficiently to allow for the movement of traffic. Pedestrians require sidewalks to be cleared in order that they be able to move around the city safely. Snow means challenges for everyone.
While we can’t stop it from snowing, we can take steps to prepare for the worst Mother nature can throw at us. As winter arrives, the city’s Transportation Services Division is getting ready for another year of keeping our streets and sidewalks safe and the traffic moving.
Keeping Toronto’s streets clear of snow is a major challenge. Toronto Council has established a level of service for plowing the snow from city streets following a storm. Here’s what you can expect.
As soon as the snow begins, Transportation Services sends out its fleet of salt trucks to the expressways, main roads and local roads. If the City receives five centimetres of snow, the plows are sent to the expressways and main roads and plowing will take place for the duration of the storm.
When the snow stops and if the snow accumulation reaches eight centimetres, plows will be sent to the local roads. Normally, local road plowing will be completed between 14 and 16 hours after the storm has ended.
The City will clear snow from sidewalks on local roads where it is mechanically possible to do so after eight centimetres (five centimetres in January and February) of snow has fallen. In the central core of the city, property owners are required to clear their sidewalks of snow 12 hours after a storm has taken place.
The City of Toronto’s levels of service for snow clearing meet those set by the Province of Ontario for municipalities and road authorities. These levels of service were adopted by Toronto City Council in 2009.
Residents who have questions about snow clearing efforts in their area can call the City at 311. If you need more information about the city's plans for snow clearing, visit toronto.ca/transportation.
What Can You Expect From Us?
- Every effort will be made to keep the expressways and main roads open during a snowstorm.
- Plowing on side streets will usually be completed within 14-16 hours after the snow stops falling. An additional 24 hours is spent plowing difficult areas where snow has not been completely cleared.
- Sidewalks, where the city provides the service, will generally be ploughed with 24-48 hours of a snowstorm.
- Bus stops and transit shelters will generally be ploughed within 48 hours after a snowstorm.
- Where feasible, residential driveway windrows will be opened after a side street is plowed. Please note that our intent is to only plough a sufficient amount of snow from the windrow to permit a vehicle to easily drive across. Windrow clearing is not provided on narrow streets with no boulevards or where on-street parking is permitted.
- You can get current snow plowing information by calling 311. Residents may call this number to find out how snow plowing operations are progressing.
What can you do leading up to and Following a Snow Storm?
- Do not push snow from your property back onto the street. It is illegal and it obstructs the work that our operators are doing.
- Use salt on sidewalks and stairs only when necessary.
- If possible, keep parked cars off the street so that plows can move through the streets more effectively.
- Please avoid parking vehicles over sidewalks. This hampers sidewalk snow plowing efforts.
- Use public transit whenever possible. Fewer cars on the street can help us plough the snow.
- Wait until the plows have gone by before completely shoveling your driveway. This also applies if you have a sidewalk in front of your property.
- When a snow storm is forecast, you should ensure that you purchase any food, medication and household supplies that you might need for the next 48 hours. Try to stay off the streets.