Winter Snow Removal

Our fleet includes the following:

• Snow plows (equipped with salt/sanders)

• Loader with plow

• Backhoe loader

• Sidewalk plows

• Contractor equipment

• Grader with plow

Primary roads are prioritized because they carry heavy traffic, have steep grades, or connect to major secondary routes. These roads must remain clear for emergency and transit vehicles.
Our goal is to plow all streets within 16 hours after snowfall reaches 8 cm. During heavy snowfalls, delays may occur—please be patient.

Our priority is clearing the travelled portion of the road. The only place to move the snow is onto the boulevard, which includes driveways. As a result, snow left at the bottom of driveways is unavoidable.

Owners and/or occupants of residential and business properties are responsible for keeping driveways clear down to the street. Because street plowing operations push snow from the road to the boulevard, this does fill in driveways. Unfortunately, the Municipality does not have the resources to come back to remove snow left by its plows at the end of driveways.

Corner lots often receive more snow because plows clear a larger roadway area at intersections.

• Sidewalk clearing follows a priority system similar to roads, however, there are weekday and weekend sidewalk clearing routes. On the weekend, not all sidewalks will be cleared.

• Once snow reaches 8 cm, sidewalk plows are dispatched. Full clearing may take up to 24 hours.

• Heavy snowfalls may require blower attachments, which take 2–3 times longer.

• Sand or salt is applied during icy conditions.

• Drifting snow may refill cleared sidewalks; these areas are addressed during clean-up within 24–72 hours.

Canada Post maintains the area around their mailboxes and is responsible for snow clearing. If you have any concerns, please contact Canada Post at 1-800-267-1177.

The Municipality does not offer snow clearing assistance on private property. You may be able to get assistance from a family member, a friend or a neighbour, and there are also a number of private snow clearing businesses in the area that provide this service. Please check online search engine for listings.

Most problem areas on streets are the result of parked cars blocking the snow plows or residents dumping snow from their driveways back onto the public roadway. For adequate snow clearing operations, the streets must be clear of parked cars. Residents are encouraged to avoid parking vehicles on the street, either during or following a snowstorm, and are prohibited from dumping snow on the street. Depositing snow on the public roadway is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act. Parking on the street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited under by-law.

Call 9-1-1. The emergency services will contact our snow clearing crews and we will work in co-operation with police, fire and ambulance to make sure they can reach you.

Citizens are encouraged to clear snow-covered catch basins or to notify the Operations Department at 519-527-0160.

We aim to clear roads within 16 hours and sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall reaches 8 cm. Severe conditions may cause delays. If you believe your area was missed, call 519-527-0160.

After one snow event ends and the roads have been cleared, we prepare for the next event. You may see that plows are out pushing snowbanks back off the road way to expose catch basins in anticipation of snow melt, or simply to make more room for the next snow fall. We may also be out applying material to the roads in advance of an expected snow event which is forecasted to occur in the near future.

Unfortunately, due to the variations in the plow routes, the difference in the capability and speed of sidewalk plows versus road plows, and the difference in priority routes, it's nearly impossible to align the timing and scheduling of the sidewalk and road plowing operations.

The Huron East Public Works Department will replace or repair any mailbox and/or post that has been physically damaged by its snow removal equipment (i.e. hit by the plow, not by flying snow). If your mailbox is damaged by snow thrown from the plow, it is your responsibility to repair or replace your mailbox and post as per Canada Post guidelines.

When requesting a replacement, you are required to have the damaged material available for inspection by the roads department.