We are ready for winter! Are you?
Learn more about our operations and the important role you play
The City of Vaughan’s Public Works team prepares for winter long before the snow flies. Keeping the community safe, informed and moving throughout the winter are top priorities as we gear up for the first flurries.
Whether we’re removing snow and ice from roads, paths, sidewalks or windrows, our crews work hard to ensure everyone can travel safely throughout Vaughan no matter the weather. We have a fleet of more than 230 vehicles on standby to service more than 2,200 lane kilometres of roads, more than 1,200 kilometres of sidewalks and park walkways, and 63 City-owned facilities.
There are both local and regional roads in Vaughan, and the City works closely with York Region to ensure our road network is safe and clear all winter long. The City is responsible for municipal roads throughout Vaughan. York Region is responsible for regional roads in Vaughan, such as Major Mackenzie Drive, Rutherford Road, Bathurst Street, Keele Street and Dufferin Street. For a full list of regional roads, visit york.ca.
The City provides a variety of winter maintenance services, including:
Anti-icing
Before a snowfall or storm, the City prepares roads by spraying brine on their surface to prevent the formation of black ice. Brine, a liquid made of rock salt and water, works immediately as a barrier and stays active on the road for several days, so precipitation doesn't stick to the road and slippery conditions are avoided.
Watch this video to see an anti-icing truck in action.
Salting
Salt is applied to roads and sidewalks to address snow or ice buildup. The City uses an award-winning artificial intelligence-based tool called the Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) to help our operators use the right amount of salt required for each winter storm.
Since adopting this innovative technology in 2018, the City has decreased salt usage by more than 100 tonnes per salting event. This system saves the City money and is beneficial for the environment, as it reduces the amount of salt that could enter the stormwater system – and subsequently, bodies of water – through catch basins. Vaughan was the first municipality in Canada to incorporate this technology into its salting operations.
Watch this video to see a salting truck in action.
Snowplowing
Plowing begins as soon as five centimetres (two inches) of snow have accumulated. We aim to plow all municipal roads within 16 hours after a snowfall has ended. Main roads are plowed first to keep them clear for emergency and transit vehicles before moving to residential areas. Main roads are completed within four hours after a snowfall has ended and residential roads are completed within 12 hours.
Watch this video to see a City plow in action.
Windrow-clearing
The City offers a windrow-clearing service to all homes to clear a portion of the driveway entrance so a car can drive through. It is completed up to four hours after a snowplow has passed. Due to the limited size and reach of the windrow machines, they can only clear a portion of the driveway entrance – residual amounts of snow may be left behind. Please note the City’s windrow service does not clear windrows left by sidewalk plows and does not clear hardened snow, ice or the entire driveway.
Watch this video to see a City windrow-clearing machine in action.
You can help our winter operations run smoothly!
We all have a role to play during the winter months to keep our city safe and moving. Here’s how you can do your part:
Don’t park cars on the street while snowplows are out – this will help the City clear streets properly and safely. On-street parking is not permitted between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. any time of the year in Vaughan. As outlined in the City’s Parking By-law (PDF), on-street parking that interferes with snow-clearing operations is prohibited. Vehicles found in violation may be subject to a $85 fine or towed at the owner’s expense.
Clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering your property to help ensure they remain safe, as stated in the City’s Snow Clearing By-law 227-2022 (PDF).
On waste collection days, set waste bins back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of your driveway, where possible (when facing the home). They should never be placed on top of or behind snowbanks.
Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible (one metre all around). Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can impede emergency fire response.
Help keep catch basins and culverts near your property clear of snow, ice and debris to prevent potential flooding during temperature fluctuations if it’s safe to do so.
Remove anything from your property that may interfere with or be hazardous to plow crews. This includes landscaping features, such as fencing, decorative stones, pots, bird baths, furniture and more, as stated in the City’s Encroachment By-law 034-2017 (PDF). These items should not be within 30 centimetres (12 inches) of a sidewalk or one metre (3 and a half feet) of a street curb.
Be mindful of where shovelled snow is placed. It is illegal to shovel snow or ice onto the road under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and the City’s Dumping By-law 103-2020. That goes for any private contractors you hire, too!
Clean snow off all vehicle surfaces before driving and keep a safe distance from snowplows and salting equipment.
Stay informed!
For more information on our winter maintenance program, visit vaughan.ca/snow. For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:
contact the SNOW hotline at 905-879-SNOW (7669) or email snow@vaughan.ca.
follow the City’s official corporate channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
subscribe to Vaughan News.
QUOTE
“Although winter weather is unpredictable, our dedicated Public Works staff are ready for anything Mother Nature throws our way. From plowing and salting to brining and shovelling – our team prepares year-round to ensure our community can get to where they need to go during the winter, safely. I want to thank the City of Vaughan’s committed team of snow fighters who contribute to these efforts. You make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents, and we are grateful to you for keeping our roads and sidewalks free of snow and ice throughout the winter season.”
– Mayor Steven Del Duca
QUICK FACTS
The City of Vaughan provides residents with a high level of winter maintenance services. Whether it’s reducing ice or removing snow on roads or clearing it from paths, sidewalks and windrows, the City’s crews strive to ensure everyone can travel safely throughout Vaughan despite the weather.
The City has a fleet of more than 230 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 residents are provided with high-quality winter services. The City uses this equipment to service more than 2,200 lane-kilometres of roads, more than 1,200 kilometres of sidewalks and park walkways and 63 City-owned facilities.
LEARN MORE
City of Vaughan’s winter maintenance webpage
