Cleanup from Monday's blizzard continues

​Vaughan crews have made significant progress clearing roads and sidewalks

City of Vaughan crews have made significant progress clearing roads and sidewalks following Monday’s major snowfall – when approximately 36 centimetres (14 inches) fell in a short period of time, an amount not seen since 2008. 

The City declared a Significant Weather Event on Sunday, Jan. 16. This declaration remains in effect. Here are some updates on the City’s winter maintenance operations in response to the storm: 

• Two full-scale salting and plowing operations of Vaughan’s entire road network have been completed, including windrows.
• Removal of stockpiled snow is planned for Kleinburg, Woodbridge and the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
• Staff are inspecting the entire road network to ensure it is safe and passable for residents and emergency vehicles. Crews will remove piled snow as required, including on cul-de-sacs and any other roadway that is obstructed.
• Crews have cleared all primary sidewalks (by main roads). There are some areas that were subsequently blocked due to road operations. Specialized equipment is being brought in to clear them. This will take a couple of days.
• The entire sidewalk network will require another couple of days to address, including sections that have snow pushed back on them. Spot salting will be done as needed.
• There were some delays to waste collection on Tuesday and Wednesday, however, the team is now caught up. Outstanding waste bins that were not collected were likely placed on snowbanks or deemed inaccessible and unsafe to collect. Please place them out on your next collection day. To report missed collection, visit vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan or call 905-832-2281. 

The City has a fleet of more than 100 vehicles – including salter/snowplow units, windrow machines, sidewalk machines, pickup trucks equipped with plows and salters, cul-de-sac-clearing machines and anti-icing units – to ensure citizens are provided with high-quality and timely winter services. 

Here are tips on how you can help the City’s winter operations run as smoothly and safely as possible: 

• Keep cars off the street while snowplows are out to assist the City in ensuring streets are cleared properly and safely. On-street parking is not permitted between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in Vaughan or at any time when winter operations are in progress.
• Clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering your property within 24 hours after snowfall has ended to help ensure roads and sidewalks remain safe, as stated in By-law 300-93 (PDF).
• Remove anything that may interfere with or be hazardous to plow crews. This includes landscaping features, such as fencing, basketball nets, decorative stones, pots, bird baths, furniture and more.
• Be mindful of where snow is placed. It is illegal to shovel snow or ice onto the road under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
• Stay off the roads during a heavy snowstorm unless the travel is essential. You can also use York Region Transit to get around the city during inclement weather.
• Clean snow off all surfaces of your vehicle before driving and keep a safe distance away from snowplows and salting equipment.  
• Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible (one metre all around). Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can slow down emergency fire response. 

For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:

• visit vaughan.ca/snow
• contact the Snow Hotline at 905-879-SNOW (7669) or email snow@vaughan.ca
• view the Where’s My Snowplow tool
• follow the City’s official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
• subscribe to Vaughan News
• contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca