Winter levels of service:
- 24 hour patrols continuously check road conditions and staff monitor weather forecasts and pavement temperatures.
- Prior to a storm, anti-icing trucks are sent out to apply a layer of "brine" (salt and water) on hills and bridges. When the snow starts falling, salt trucks begin de-icing main roads and expressways and then continue their rounds throughout all City streets.
- Expressway plowing begins when the snow has accumulated to a depth of 2.5 cm of snow has fallen.
- Main roads (Red - major & minor arterials) and Blue (collector) roads) plowing is initiated after 5 cm of snow has fallen
- Local roads (green roads) plowing is initiated after 8 cm of snow and snowfall is completed
- Local roads plowing completed between 14 and 16 hours, after the end of the storm
- Sidewalks:
- The City will clear snow from sidewalks when 2 cm of snow has fallen from November 8 to April 7
- Driveway Opening/Windrow clearing: Where possible, the City opens snow windrows left by plows at the foot of residential driveway entrances. Plows with special blades clear the openings of about 262,000 driveways. Driveway opening/windrow clearing will commence on local roads at the same time as roadway plowing only when a windrow height exceeds 25 cm. Collector and arterial roads will commence at the final round of the roadway plowing when windrow height exceeds 25 cm. Windrow plows are to open a 3 metre wide opening, sufficient for a small car to pass safely.
- Snow clearing request - plowing - City laneway de-ice as necessary to maintain passable conditions
- Expressway/main road salt trucks can be mobilized within minutes when required, 24 hours a day.
It's important to remember that the City's first priority is keeping the main roads clear.
Once roads have been plowed and are in a passable condition, smaller plows and hand crews clear sidewalks, bus stops, crosswalks, and bus shelters.
Every effort will be made to keep the expressways and main roads open during a snowstorm.
Windrows created by sidewalk plowing operations are not part of the windrow removal program.
Sidewalks
Mechanical sidewalk clearing is performed on all sidewalks in the City of Toronto when 2 cm has fallen (November 8 to April 7). Multiple rounds of clearing may be necessary for heavy snowfalls, or to address icy conditions in subsequent days.
Note: If snowfall accumulation is 2 cm or less in-depth, every owner or occupant of any building must within 12 hours after any fall of snow, rain, or hail has creased;
- Clear away and completely remove snow and ice from any sidewalk on any highway in front of, alongside, or at the rear of the building.
- After the snow removal and ice, if any portion of the sidewalk becomes slippery from any cause, the owner or occupant must immediately and as often as necessary apply to the sidewalk ashes, sand, salt, or some other suitable material so as to completely cover the slippery surface
Bus stops
After the main roads are plowed, crews begin the task of clearing snow from transit stops and crosswalks. They will generally be plowed within 48 hours after a snowstorm.
Windrows
Where applicable, residential driveway windrows will be opened after a side street is plowed. Please note that our intent is to only plow a sufficient amount of snow from the windrow to permit a vehicle to easily drive across ( 3 metres). Windrow clearing is not provided on narrow streets with no boulevards or where on-street parking is permitted.
Cycling Infrastructure
Aggressive salting operations are subject to temperature constraints
Plowing will be initiated when snow has accumulated to a depth of 2cm
It will take 6-8 hours to complete plowing for priority lanes and those located on arterial roads
- Cycling facilities include:
- Priority bike lanes
- Cycle tracks
- contra-flow - sharrows
Multi-use trails
Six multi-use trails will be de-iced and plowed when necessary
- Humber Bay Shore Trail
- Martin Goodman Trail - between Windermere Ave to Stadium Rd
- Eglinton Ave W Trail
- Finch Corridor Trail (except between Yonge St. – Bayview Ave.)
- Gatineau Hydro Corridor Trail
- Kipling Ave. Bicycle Trail
If possible, keep parked cars off the street and use public transit whenever possible. Fewer cars on the street can help us plow the snow more effectively.
Snow plowing, level of service
- Expressways/main roads - bare pavement
- Collector roads - centre bare pavement
- Local roads - safe and passable
Visit the City of Toronto website to learn more about the City's winter services.
For information about the City of Toronto, road classification system see: City of Toronto road classification system
Related Information:
