Your snow questions: ANSWERED
Learn about Vaughan’s March 4 snow-clearing operations
As City of Vaughan crews continue to clean up from last night’s major winter storm – which saw 30 centimetres of snow fall, for a grand total of 50 centimetres in the past week or so – here are answers to your top questions as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 4.
When will my windrow be cleared?
Crews are working 24-7 to clear roads, sidewalks and windrows. With the large volume of snow that came down last night, windrow-clearing operations are delayed and about 30 per cent complete at this time; we expect they will all be done by 10 p.m. tonight. As a reminder, the machines can only clear a portion of the driveway entrance.
Why doesn’t the windrow machine clear my whole driveway?
Windrow machines are not designed to clear whole driveways. Based on the size and reach of windrow-clearing machines, they only clear a portion of your driveway entrance so your car can drive through snow left by plows. The remaining snow is your responsibility to clear.
When will snowplows get to residential areas and side roads?
Full-scale plowing and salting operations continue across City roads. Main roads are now complete. Plowing in residential areas is about 50 per cent complete and should be done by 5 p.m. today. Please be patient – crews will get to your neighbourhood as soon as they can.
Why are main roads cleared first?
Main roads typically experience heavier traffic volumes, have steep hills or sharp curves, or serve as connecting roads that provide access to most residential streets. These main roads are plowed first for safety reasons to ensure they’re clear for emergency and transit vehicles. Plow crews are working around the clock to get to all streets as soon as possible – your patience is appreciated.
Are community centres open today?
Yes. Community centres are open today with regular hours of operation. Programs are running.
When will the sidewalks be cleared?
At this time, our sidewalk plowing and salting operations are focused on main road sidewalks and will transition to residential areas throughout the weekend. If the sidewalk bordering your home is not maintained by the City, please clear it as soon as possible to ensure it is safe for your neighbours. And remember – 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 (PDF). Here is a list of the sidewalks maintained by the City.
Why didn’t the windrow from my driveway get cleared at the same time as others in my neighbourhood?
There are a number of reasons why your windrow may not have been cleared. For example, cars parked on the street or driveway that are too close to or hanging over the curb make it unsafe for the machine to clear the windrow. The windrow-clearing contractors are not required to go back and clear windrows that were missed under these circumstances.
When will the piled up snow from the laneway behind my home be removed?
Removing snow from laneways will begin in the evening on Sunday, March 5 and continue early next week.
When will the snow be cleared around my Canada Post mailbox?
Canada Post maintains the area around its mailboxes and is responsible for snow clearing. For issues around mailboxes, contact Canada Post online or call 1-866-607-6301.
How can I stay updated on the City’s winter operations?
There are many ways to receive the latest information on 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
