Vaughan is ready to plow, windrow and salt throughout winter storms

Jan. 24, 2020 11:00 a.m.
​The City is reminding residents not to park on the street so crews can clear the entire road safely

With snow anticipated this weekend, the City of Vaughan is prepared to provide some of the highest levels of winter maintenance in the Greater Toronto Area, including windrow-clearing services to every residential driveway in the community.

The program also includes salting, plowing and snow removal along more than 2,000 lane-kilometres of roads and 1,000 kilometres of sidewalks throughout the city. Vaughan’s winter fleet features more than 100 vehicles comprised of combination salter/snowplow units, windrow machines, sidewalk machines, pickup trucks equipped with plows and salters, cul-de-sac-clearing machines and anti-icing units.
 
As a reminder, vehicles parked on the street or parked on driveways that are too close to or hang over the curb can prevent plows and windrow machines from doing their job. Ensure cars are not parked on the street while snowplows are out to allow crews to operate safely and be able to clear the entire street.
 
VAUGHAN’S WINTER SERVICES
The City is committed to ensuring the safety and mobility of all citizens with an extensive winter maintenance program which includes:
  • Salting, where weather conditions warrant, will be completed on main roads within four hours and residential roads within 12 hours.
  • Plowing main roads and residential streets after five centimetres (two inches) of snow has accumulated. Main roads are cleared within four hours after a snowfall has ended to keep them clear for emergency and transit vehicles. Residential streets are cleared within 12 hours after a snowfall has ended.
    • Services on major roads in Vaughan, such as Bathurst Street, Dufferin Street, Keele Street and Major Mackenzie Drive, are maintained by York Region. For a full list of regional roads, visit York.ca. 
  • Windrow machines will clear a portion of the driveway (enough for a car to drive through) within four hours after the plow has passed.
  • Clearing and salting sidewalks in main public areas, such as school zones and places of worship is completed, before moving to residential areas. Sidewalks on main roads are cleared within eight hours of a snowfall and within 16 hours on residential side streets.
 
HOW CITIZENS CAN HELP
Residents and motorists can help winter operations run effectively and efficiently by following these tips:
  • While snowplows and windrows are working, do not park on the street so crews can clear the entire road safely.
  • Remove anything that may interfere with plowing, including landscaping features such as fencing, basketball nets, decorative stones, pots and bird baths.
  • Clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering your property within 24 hours after a snowfall has ended. Be mindful of where snow is placed – it is illegal to shovel or pile snow onto the road as per the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. See By-law 300-93 (PDF) for more information.
  • Ensure fire hydrants, gutters and catch basins near your property are not blocked and are clear of snow.
  • Place garbage, recycling and composting bins on the right-hand side of the driveway when facing the house from the street. If the driveway is shared, place bins on your side.
  • Stay off the roads during a heavy snowstorm unless it is essential. Citizens are also encouraged to use York Region Transit to get around the city during inclement weather.
  • If driving, clean snow off all surfaces of the vehicle before leaving and stay well back from plows and salting equipment.
 
MORE INFORMATION
For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:
 
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