Vaughan’s winter operations update for Thursday, Feb. 3

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City of Vaughan
Clearing efforts continue on City roads and sidewalks


The City of Vaughan is working around the clock to help keep the community safe. Winter efforts are in full force as crews began a city-wide plowing, salting and windrow-clearing operation on main public roads and sidewalks early this morning. Cleanup will continue on secondary roads, sidewalks and City park paths this afternoon. 

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 winter services. 

Service delivery levels are being met and winter operations are running smoothly. Here are updates on the City’s clearing efforts as of Thursday, Feb. 3:

  • Multiple city-wide salting operations were completed on primary and secondary roads on Wednesday evening.
  • Plowing operations were initiated at 1:30 a.m. this morning on main roads. Plows moved to residential roads at 7 a.m. and anticipate to be done by 1 p.m.
  • Windrow clearing began at 3:30 a.m. to address residential driveways on main roads before moving into residential roads. This service on main roads will be completed at 10 a.m., resident windrows will be completed by 4 p.m.
  • Plowing and salting operations continue city-wide on primary roads, sidewalks and crosswalks. Secondary roads, such as in residential areas, will follow. Secondary sidewalks will be addressed this afternoon.
  • Plowing and salting operations are anticipated to continue into Friday, Feb. 4.
  • Cleanup efforts to remove snow city-wide are anticipated to begin on Friday, Feb. 4 and will continue into the weekend as required.
  • City staff are actively monitoring road and weather conditions and will respond accordingly.

Your role in winter maintenance
Managing snow in Vaughan is a community effort. 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 as per the City’s By-law 064-2019 (PDF).
  • 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 the City’s 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.
  • Clear a space on the right-hand side of your driveway (when facing the home) for waste bin set-out, and keep bins off of snowbanks.

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

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