Winter Operations Update Saturday, March 4

City crews are working 24-7 to clean up from the major snowfall

Following last night’s heavy snowfall, City of Vaughan crews continue to work around the clock to clear roads, sidewalks and windrows.   

Here is everything you need to know about today’s winter maintenance operations: 

• Snow-clearing efforts will continue over the next couple of days to address the large accumulation of snow overnight – 30 centimetres. In the past nine days, 50 centimetres of snow have fallen in Vaughan!
• Due to the large amount of snow, our snow-clearing operations will be delayed. Please be patient – crews will get to your neighbourhood as soon as they can.
• Full-scale plowing and salting operations continue across City roads. We expect primary roads to be complete around 2 p.m. today – Saturday, March 4. Plowing in residential areas is underway and should be complete by this evening.  
• Windrow machines are coming but also may be delayed. We expect windrow operations to be completed by this evening.
• Again, due to the volume of snow, residual snow will be left by windrow machines on residential driveways. Crews will continue to address this on Sunday, March 5. As a reminder, the machines can only clear a portion of the driveway entrance.
• Sidewalk plowing and salting operations are focused on main road sidewalks and will transition to residential areas throughout the weekend.
• Community centres and Vaughan Public Libraries branches are open today with regular hours of operation. Programs are running.
• Forestry crews are addressing fallen trees due to the heavy snow and high winds.
• The City continues to be under a Significant Weather Event – road safety is the top priority in our operations.
• Staff continue to monitor the road network and assess the progress of the snow clearing efforts and will continue deploying all available resources. 

Your role in winter maintenance:

Managing snow in Vaughan is a community effort. Here are some tips on how you can help the City’s winter operations run as smoothly and safely as possible:

• Keep parked 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 at any time when snowplows are clearing the streets, or between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in Vaughan without a permit. Crews cannot effectively clear roads and laneways with cars parked along them. 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 $75 fine or towed at the owner’s expense. 
• Clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering your property as soon as a snowfall has ended to help ensure roads and sidewalks remain safe, as stated in the City’s Snow-Clearing By-law 227-2022 (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, as stated in the City’s Encroachment By-law 034-2017 (PDF). These items should be within 30 centimetres of a sidewalk or within one metre of a street curb.
• Be mindful of where 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 (PDF). If you have hired a contractor to plow your laneway or sidewalk, ensure they are licensed with the City and they do not leave snow on the road from their removal.
• Stay off the roads during a heavy snowstorm unless 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.  
• Set waste bins back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of the driveway, where possible (when facing the home). Doing this will reduce the risk of bins and bags getting covered in snow during the City’s snow-clearing process. Waste bins or bags buried in snow, frozen to the ground, on top of or behind snowbanks will not be collected. Crews cannot return for materials that are not accessible for collection.
• Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible (one metre all around). Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can slow down emergency fire response. As outlined in the City’s Water By-law 106-2022 (PDF), citizens who have a fire hydrant on their property or City property adjacent to theirs are responsible for ensuring the hydrant is always visible and unobstructed.
• Help keep catch basins clear of snow and ice to prevent flooding during temperature fluctuations, if it’s safe to do so.

To report non-emergency winter maintenance service requests, visit Service Vaughan.

Stay informed

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
• follow the City’s official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
• subscribe to Vaughan News
• contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca