Winter Control Operations

Our Public Works Department performs all Town winter control operations for municipal roads, plowing, sanding/salting and sidewalks. Winter control operations help keep the community safe and running smoothly even when there are special weather events like heavy snowfall or ice storms.

View our Winter Control Reference Guide for more information on snow removal and storage, weather monitoring, plow patrol routes and more.

Weather-related emergencies and closures

To reach the Public Works Department after-hours for urgent concerns like downed trees on municipal roads and traffic signal repairs, call the 24-hour emergency number at 877-274-0031.

For all updates during a weather event, follow our Town of New Tecumseth Facebook pageTown of New Tecumseth Twitter page, or Town of New Tecumseth Instagram.

 Winter Maintenance

 Minimum Standards

 What are the minimum maintenance standards?

The Level of Service provided to the Town of New Tecumseth is entirely defined by the adopted and approved Ontario Regulation 239/02, also known as The Town Standard. This standard defines how often the Town will patrol the roadways and walkways, the frequency of plowing, material application, and snow removal within walkways, roadways, and parking lots based on accumulated snow depth and time, and how the Town will manage these activities.

 

For full details of the regulations, please refer to the Ontario Regulation here.

 Which roads are plowed first?

Routes are created using a variety of tools and with consideration of priorities within the industry, including Ontario Regulation 239/02 Road Classifications, emergency routes, optimized re-fill locations (proximity to Depot locations), overall length, and road surface type. Generally, once a route is created it is plowed, salted and/or sanded based on the road priority as defined in the route maps (Appendices E through H).

Priority roads within the routes were determined by proximity and/or direct line to the hospital, emergency vehicle routes and fire stations, traffic volumes, steep hills, connectivity of road network, and staff knowledge on difficult maintenance areas. Once these priority roads have been cleared, secondary road segments within each route will follow. It is the intent and expectation that all road segments be maintained in-line with The Town Standard and Table 2, however in some cases, including evenings, weekends and extreme events, decisions will be made to maintain priority roads at a higher standard than secondary roads.

 

Refer to the Winter Control Reference Guide for full details.

 How does the Town share responsibility for roads with Simcoe County?
 Please see the Winter Control Reference Guide,  Appendix B: Road Ownership Map.

Salt and Sand

 When is salt and sand used on the roads?

The Town of New Tecumseth uses both sand and salt for snow and ice control throughout the Town during the Winter Period. Winter Sand is a mixture of nine (9) parts screened sand to one (1) part pure salt (a 9:1 mixture prepared during stockpiling).

The location, route, road classification and, roadside environment all factor into whether sand or salt is used as the primary material for that route. In general, salt will be used in all urban and semi-urban environments whereas Winter Sand will be used in rural environments.

 

Refer to the Winter Control Reference Guide, section 3.3 for full details.

Canada Post Mailboxes

 Who is responsible for clearing snow from community mailboxes?

Canada Post is responsible for the maintenance of their mailboxes. Please contact Canada Post Customer Service at 1-800-267-1177.

Windrow

Why does the plow truck always put snow in my driveway? 

Snow plowing is done in the safest and most efficient way possible. Unfortunately, there will always be an amount of snow plowed into driveways. The Town does not offer a driveway snow removal program.

 I cleared my windrow of plow snow and the sidewalk plow has deposited snow back onto it. Why can't the sidewalk plow come down my street at the same time?

The Town understands the frustration that this causes, unfortunately, due to variations in the plow routes, the difference in the capacity and speed of sidewalk plows vs. road plows, and the difference in priority routes, its near impossible to align the timing and scheduling of the sidewalk and road plowing operations.

 Does the town come back to remove the snow its plows have dumped in my driveway?

Owners and/or occupants of residential and business properties are responsible for keeping driveways clear down to the street.  Because street plowing operations push snow from the road to the road side, this does fill in driveways.  Unfortunately, the municipality does not have the resources to come back to remove snow left by its plows at the end of the driveway.

 What if I am unable to clear the snow from my property because of age or disability?

Snow removal services for seniors and individuals with disabilities are not available from municipal crews.  You may be able to get assistance from a family member, a friend or a neighbour.  There are also a number of private snow clearing firms who also provide this service.

Sidewalks

 What level of service is provided for sidewalk snow?

The maintained sidewalk network includes approximately 116 linear kilometres within the three urban areas. The adopted Town Standard has a minimum level of service requirement for winter control of sidewalks as identified in Ontario Regulation 366/18.

 

For full details of the regulations, please refer to the Ontario Regulation here.

Private Property

Can I shovel the snow from my property into the road?

Residents are reminded that it is an offense to deposit snow or ice on a roadway. Snow pushed or blown onto a road creates a hazard to both vehicles and snow removal equipment and can interfere with water flow in ditches.

This practice contravenes the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, C.H8, S 181, which states “No person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission in writing to do so from the Ministry or Road Authority responsible for the maintenance of the road”.

Grass Damage

 What do I do if my lawn is damaged by the snowplow?

Areas of the boulevard that have been physically damaged during winter maintenance activities are to be reinstated using topsoil and seed which are to be supplied and placed by the Town. The abutting property owner is requested to maintain and care for the boulevard to allow the grass to establish.

 

Refer to the Winter Control Reference Guide, section 5 for full details.

Operations Without Snow

 Why are snow removal crews working when it is not snowing?

Snow removal involves much more than simply plowing roads when there is a storm. Crews must also remove the snow so it does not impede with regular traffic, pedestrian, etc. Removal or reduction of snow banks is carried out when snowbanks restrict sightlines, travel widths, pedestrian traffic, or to relieve trapped water on the roadway or sidewalk and to create storage space for future snowfall.

Sidewalk crews patrol daily to review sidewalks for icy areas and other hazards.

 Why do I see snow plows going down my street scraping roads when there isn't that much snow on the road?

As winter weather conditions fluctuate, we take advantage of milder temperature to return residential roads to bare pavement while limiting salt usage. We also remove the ruts which have already formed on the snow packed surface. This allows for a better surface to clear in the upcoming winter months. In addition, the clearing operation assists in keeping catch basins open to avoid flooding. If weather permits, we push snow banks back to curbs to provide more driving width on the roadway and storage place for snow along residential streets. In the long term, this may also help in reducing the cost of snow removal.

Corner Lots

 Why does the snow plow seem to dump a lot of snow on corner lots?

Residents living on corner lots usually have slightly more snow deposited in front of their houses as there is a larger portion of roadway that needs to be cleared at an intersection.

Resident Responsibilities

 What can I do to help town staff?
  • Abiding by winter parking restrictions.
  • Parking off-street during and after snow or ice storms at all times so plows can clear the roads thoroughly.
  • Clear snow and ice from your property, including all sidewalks, steps and driveways.