Update: Snow removal is now complete. Parking can resume in the lay-bys. Thank you to everyone who removed their vehicles to give us room to clear.
City snow removal crews will be going into Alton Village to remove the remaining snow from the lay-bys on Thursday, Feb. 25 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Help us help you by removing your cars from the lay-bys. The more room we have, the more snow removal we can do. Vehicles parked on the lay-bys may be relocated within the area to allow for safe passage of the equipment. Please park your vehicle in any municipal parking lots in or around Alton Village:
If your vehicle has been relocated and you need assistance finding it, please contact Halton Regional Police Service by calling 905-878-5511.
Each winter, the City of Burlington provides snow removal services throughout the city. Our fleet of snow clearing equipment and crews are ready to clear your roads and sidewalks as quickly and efficiently as possible. Every year, we maintain approximately 1,900 km of roads and 850 km of sidewalks. Please give our crews 24 hours after the storm has ended to make any snow clearing requests. City staff concentrate on the primary and secondary routes first.
Visit the road plowing priority map to see which roads are designated as primary, secondary and residential roads.
Remember, on-street parking is suspended during declared Snow Events and 24-hours after the snow event has been cancelled until the residential roads are cleared. Visit our street parking and snow clearing page for more information.
Remember, the plows are there to make the roads safer for all road users. This isn't a race, give them space!
Snow Clearing from Roads |
Does the city clear all roads at once? No. Primary and secondary roads are plowed first to ensure that emergency service vehicles can move easily throughout the city. Residential roads are plowed afterwards. The city aims to have all roads completed within 24 hours after the snow stops falling. What are primary, secondary and residential roads?
Visit the road plowing priority map to see which roads are designated as primary, secondary and residential roads. Visit the snow control update page for timely clearing updates. When does the city plow the roads?
What is "snow pack"? Snow pack is hard-packed snow on a roadway that develops very quickly as vehicles travel on snow-covered roads. It is the condition that can be expected periodically on residential roads. Snow plows are not able to scrape off snow pack, as it is usually bonded to the pavement. Although bumpy at times, vehicles typically navigate snow pack quite easily. Why don't all roads have a bare pavement level of service? To achieve bare pavement, salt must be applied at the onset of snow to prevent the snow from sticking to the road. In order to provide this level of service to residential roads, significant increases in equipment and salt would be required with increased costs and negative environmental impact. When does the city salt and/or sand the roads? Primary and secondary roads are salted and/or sanded at the first sign of roads beginning to ice. Residential roads are not salted, but may be sanded when conditions warrant. Why do I sometimes see a plow passing my street without plowing and yet the adjacent cul-de-sac is plowed first? Crescents, cul-de-sacs and roads with a "bulb" at the end require different equipment to ensure the snow is piled correctly in a limited space. When these plows are sent out, they cover a larger area but service only the existing "bulbs". Why does the snow plow leave a windrow to block my driveway? Plow operators do not intentionally block driveways. When clearing your driveway, try to pile the snow on the right side (standing in your driveway and looking at the street). This can help reduce the amount of snow that is pushed onto your driveway when a plow passes. The city does not clear driveways. A windrow clearing program is available for those with physical limitations. For more information, visit the windrow clearing program webpage.
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Snow Clearing from Sidewalks |
When can I expect my sidewalk to be cleared? Sidewalk clearing begins after snow accumulates in excess of 5 cm (2 inches) and only after roads are cleared. Sidewalks on primary and secondary roads are plowed first, followed by residential roads and designated pathways. Generally, sidewalk clearing is completed within 48 hours after the snow has stopped falling; however, it may take 72 hours or more to clear all sidewalks during heavy or back-to-back snowfalls. Can I expect my sidewalk to be cleared to bare pavement? No. Bare concrete can only be achieved through the use of salt which comes with significant cost and environmental implications. Sand or salt is applied on primary and secondary routes only when they are extremely slippery. Why does my lawn get damaged when the sidewalk plow goes by? While operators strive to minimize lawn damage, some degree of damage is inevitable. Deep or drifted snow conditions often completely hide the sidewalk edge, making it difficult to avoid turf damage in the plowing process. To report turf damage, please call Roads, Parks and Forestry at 905-333-6166 or email RPF@burlington.ca. Staff will review the damage in early spring and make repairs as weather permits. When are the Centennial, Beachway and hydro corridors multi-use pathways cleared? The Centennial Bikeway, Beachway and North Hydro Corridor are cleared at the same time as primary sidewalks. Secondary and local sidewalks are cleared after primary sidewalks.
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Additional Snow Clearing Information |
What happens during extreme cold events when the temperatures are consistently below -10 C? Salt does not have an effect on melting ice or snow below -10 C. During extreme cold, sand is used to provide traction on roads until the temperature allows for effective use of salt. When are transit stops cleared? Transit stops are cleared after snow accumulates in excess of 5 cm (2 inches) and only after roads are cleared. Transit stops on primary and secondary roads are cleared first. Transit stops are generally cleared within 48 hours after the snow has stopped falling; however it may take longer to clear all stops during heavy or back-to-back snowfalls. Who is responsible for ensuring fire hydrants are cleared of snow? Residents are asked that they do not pile snow from their driveway or private property in such a way that covers fire hydrants. Fire hydrants that are covered over by road or sidewalk plowing can be reported to Halton Region by calling 311 or by emailing accesshalton@halton.ca. The Region will send staff to clear the fire hydrant when conditions are safe to do so. What can residents and businesses do to assist the city with efficient snow clearing?
How can I contact the city with a concern? Please wait until 24-hours after the snow has stopped falling before calling or emailing a concern. Roads, Parks and Forestry can be reached by phone during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday to Friday) at 905-333-6166 or RPF@burlington.ca.
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Please note that during snow storms, on-street parking exemptions will not be granted due to snow clearing activities. Visit our street parking and snow clearing page for more information.