Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Dec. 6, 2021 – If There’s a Big Snowfall, When Can I Expect Burlington Plows to Clear my Street?

Mayor's Mailbag
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Welcome to the Mayor’s Monday Mailbag, an initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office has launched to share weekly answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we’ll publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Dec. 6, 2021QUESTION:"If there’s a big snowfall, when can I expect the City plows to clear my street?"ANSWER:The City of Burlington is ready for snow and cold and is sharing helpful information for residents to know for this winter season. Residents wanting to stay informed on snow event declarations, facility closures and re-openings and recreation program changes due to inclement weather should subscribe to respective newsfeeds at burlington.ca/enews and follow the City of Burlington on Facebook and Twitter.Plows will clear primary and secondary roads when accumulation of 5 cm is reached.When accumulation reaches 7.5 cm, the City will declare a “Snow Event”. During a snow event, road clearing updates will be sent to Snow Control Update subscribers at 9 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. To receive Snow Control Updates by email, visit Burlington.ca/enews to subscribe.When weather events such as snow or freezing rain become more extreme and safe travel becomes more challenging, the City may decide to close some or all City facilities such as community centres, pools, arenas and City Hall.It is important for people to know that a declared snow event does not automatically mean all City facilities are closed or programs are cancelled.When City facilities are closed due to weather, residents can stay informed by subscribing to Facility Closure updates at burlington.ca/enews, or by checking our website at burlington.ca/facilityclosures. The recorded message at 905-335-7738 will also be updated when facilities are closed due to inclement weather.On occasion, a program may be cancelled when City facilities remain open. For instance, if staff are unable to travel to operate the facility or the program instructor is unable to travel safely. If a program is cancelled when the facility remains open, staff will make all efforts to contact the participants in advance when possible.Snow Clearing Service Levels

  • Residential roads are not maintained to bare pavement but are sanded as required at intersections, hills and sharp curves to enhance traction.
  • All sidewalks are plowed after 5 cm of accumulation and salted or sanded as required.
  • Roads will generally be cleared 24-hours after the snowfall has ended. Heavy snowfalls or successive storms can sometimes extend this period longer than 24 hours. Please be patient as our crews work to clear the busiest streets first.
  • The City is not responsible for clearing windrows left on driveways when the plow passes. If you think you will need help clearing the windrow, please make arrangements such as speaking with your neighbours, family members or hire a contractor.
  • Visit the road plowing priority map to see which roads are designated as primary, secondary and residential roads.

Parking During the WinterWhen a snow event is declared, there is no parking on any city streets until after the snow event has been declared over. The City thanks residents for their cooperation to move their vehicles off city streets to help with snow clearing operations. Residents who park their cars on streets blocking snow removal could be faced with a $120 parking ticket or be towed.All existing parking exemptions are invalid during snow events.Snow events and parking restrictions are announced through the City’s social media as well as through Snow Control Updates which can be found at burlington.ca/snow. Snow Control Updates can also be emailed to any resident who subscribes.What Residents Can DoDuring the winter season, the City of Burlington maintains 1,900 lane kilometres of roads and 850 kilometres of sidewalks. Residents can help with the removal of snow from streets and sidewalks by following road safety and parking rules:

  • Please wait until 24-hours after the snowfall has ended before calling or emailing your concerns. It takes time to clean up after a storm; please give us 24-hours after the snow has ended to do this work. Your patience is appreciated.
  • Do not park vehicles on the street during a snowfall. Also, please do not leave vehicles over the sidewalk while in your driveway as this can prevent the sidewalk plow from completing its work.
  • Do not shovel, plow or blow snow from residential or commercial properties onto the road or across the road. This poses a hazard to motorists and is prohibited by the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and City bylaw.
  • Snow plows need room to clear the snow. Please stay back 20 meters as sand and salt may be dropping from the trucks. This also gives you room to stop safely.
  • Give snow plows plenty of space at intersections. The snow plow may need two or more lanes to turn or to get through the intersection. If a snow plow is waiting to turn left at an intersection, do not pull up and stop underneath or in front of the wing plow (the plow attached to the right side of the truck). Your vehicle could be struck by the plow when the truck pulls forward.

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—*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist

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Mayor Meed Ward’s Weekly Update: Dec 6-12, 2021