Snow Plowing

Road Clearing 

All roads are cleared after every major storm. When all streets need plowing, the aim is to complete plowing within 24 hours after the end of the storm. Heavy snowfalls or successive storms can sometimes extend this period beyond 24 hours.

Priority 1 - Main arterial roads

Main roads, those with the greatest volumes of traffic, are treated with salt and plowed to achieve bare pavement. Salt trucks are dispatched to main roads to apply material at the first sign of roads beginning cover with snow or ice. In very cold temperatures, the effectiveness of salt is reduced, so occasionally sand may be used instead. When accumulations warrant, snow is plowed-off of main roads.

When conditions allow, a solution of salt brine will be applied to designated main roads in advance of snowfall. This helps to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, so plows can more easily clear the snow away and reduce the need for salt.

Examples:

• Georgetown
  • Mountainview Road
  • Guelph Street
  • Trafalgar Road
  • 15 Sideroad
• Acton
  • Main Street
  • Mill Street

Priority 2 - Collector roads

Collector roads, or secondary roads that lead to primary roads are also salted (or sanded) and plowed to achieve bare pavement. These roads are treated after main roads.

Examples:

• Georgetown
  • Argyll Road
  • Danby Road
  • Delrex Boulevard
• Acton
  • Acton Boulevard
  • Tanners Drive

Priority 3 - Residential and rural roads

Residential and Rural roads are not salted to achieve bare pavement and periodic snowpack conditions can be expected. The plowing of Residential and Rural roads starts after main arterial and collector roads are cleared of snow and ice. Residential and Rural roads are sanded, as required, to provide traction. Sand is usually applied on hills, curves, and intersections when required. Continuous sanding will only be carried out during freezing rain or ice packed conditions.

Examples:

• Georgetown
  • Berton Boulevard
  • Weber Drive 
  • Bowman Street

• Acton
  • Peel Street
  • Rosemary Drive
  • Tidey Avenue
• Rural
  • Fifth Line
  • Dublin Line
  • Abbitt Crescent

Sidewalk Clearing

When sidewalks need plowing, the aim is to complete plowing within 24 - 48 hours after the end of the storm, depending on the amount of snowfall and successive storms.

Other than downtown areas, sidewalks are typically not salted to achieve bare pavement and periodic snowpack conditions can be expected. Sand is usually applied to sidewalks when required, and salt may be applied in ice conditions.

The Town maintains only designated sidewalks during winter. Approximately 160 km of sidewalks and pathways, or just over half of all the sidewalks and walkways in the community, are maintained.  In order to preserve reasonable budgetary expense, By-law No. 2007-0003 provides the Council-approved criteria for the provision of snow clearing services and list of sidewalks receiving the service. The criteria includes sidewalks with traffic exceeding 1,000 vehicles/day (typically main roads and collector roads) and sidewalks adjacent to schools.

Snow plow safety

1. If a snow plow is stopped, keep back a minimum of 15 metres so the operator can see your vehicle.
2. Give snow plows plenty of room and do not pass.
3. Snow plows leave a pile of snow on your driveway when they pass. These are called windrows. To reduce the windrow in your driveway, clear snow towards the right side of the driveway (facing the street).
4. Do not let children climb snowbanks as they could slip off into the path of oncoming traffic.
5. Do not let children form tunnels into snowbanks as the snow may collapse or be pushed down by plow equipment during clearing operations.
6. Please check that catch basins, culverts and fire hydrants are not blocked. This will ensure proper drainage when snow melts, and will provide fire fighters with a clear path to the hydrant in case of emergency.
7. Do not place or push snow or ice onto roadways. This is against the Town's Highway Encumbrance By-law No. 2019-0008, and Fouling and Encumbering of Public Roads By-law 2006-0054, and will result in a fine.

Salt Management 

Road salts (primarily sodium chloride) are the conventional de-icing/anti-icing chemicals for maintaining winter safety due to their cost, effectiveness and ease of handling. The amount of salt used is a function of level of service policies, the transportation network, weather conditions and operational practices. The use of salt has adverse environmental impacts.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) released a “Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts” (Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2004). As part of the Code of Practice, Halton Hills maintains a Salt Management Plan (SMP) and reports status annually. The content of this SMP is consistent with recommendations for SMP content found in the Code of Practice and assesses current town practices against industry best practices. A Salt Management Plan provides the means through which an organization commits to implementing salt best management practices as it fulfills its obligation to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation systems.

The Clean Water Act, 2006 was enacted to ensure clean, safe and sustainable drinking water for Ontarians, by protecting sources of municipal drinking water including lakes, rivers and well water. Source Protection Plans (SPP) contain policies that recommend or require actions be taken to address activities identified as threats to drinking water. Halton Hills lies within three Source Protection Regions, each having SPPs approved by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Through its Salt Management Plan, the Town follows best practices, including:

Pre-wetting

What is it?

• The process of wetting salt with salt brine* before spreading salt on the roadway.
• Is applied prior to a snow storm.
• This process is performed within the truck. All trucks are equipped with this technology.

Why we do this?

• Reduces bounce and helps salt adhere to the road.
• Wetting the salt prior to its landing on the road helps the salt to melt quicker. Since the salt dissolves faster, the snow and ice will also melt quicker.

*Salt Brine: A 23.3% sodium chloride solution.

Direct Liquid Application

What is it?

• Spraying anti icing solutions directly on the roads surface.

Why we do this?

• Works immediately.
• Prevents the accumulation of black ice, frost, and packed snow.
• Acts like a barrier between the road and snow/ice.

Help Protect the Environment by Using Less Salt

Road salt works well to melt ice and snow around your property but it also has long-term impacts on the environment. Check out these tips to clear your driveways, walkways and sidewalks and keep safe while using less salt!

• Before snow falls or temperatures drop to freezing, spread a small amount of salt on your driveway/walkways to help stop ice and snow from sticking to the surface.
• Clear snow and ice from your driveway and walkways as soon as possible – this helps reduce ice build-up and means you can use less salt.
• After a snowfall, salt should only be used once snow has been removed and only on areas needed to ensure safety.
• Salt is less effective at temperatures below -10C. Alternatives like sand, grit, non-clumping kitty litter or magnesium chloride can be use when it’s too cold for salt to work.

Frequently asked questions

1. What number do I call if I have a concern?
   • To report a snow related concern, please call Public Works at 905-873-2600 x2603.
2. When will my street be plowed?
   • The Town of Halton Hills priority for plowing is to first clear all arterial and collector roads before clearing the residential streets. When all streets need plowing, the aim is to complete plowing within 24 hours after the end of the storm. Heavy snowfalls or successive storms can sometimes extend this period beyond 24 hours.
3. Why isn't my sidewalk cleared?
   • The Town's Sidewalk Snow Clearing By-law sets out the streets where the Town clears the snow and ice from over 160 km of sidewalks on arterial and collector roads and streets with schools. The Town of Halton Hills Property Standards By-law 2008-0137 states that property owners of multi-residential, commercial, industrial and institutional properties are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks on their property.
4. Can you stop my neighbour from pushing snow onto the road?
   • Such action is prohibited by the Town's Obstruction Encumbering and fouling of the Highways By-law 90-68. Improper snow and ice cleaning can be a serious hazard to motorists and pedestrians. Community Standards 905-873-2600 ext. 2330
5. Why has the snow plow left a windrow of snow across my driveway?
   • It is the Town's responsibility to push the snow to the side of the road and create a clear path for vehicular traffic. To reduce the amount of snow in your driveway, clear snow toward the right side of your driveway (facing the street). This will reduce the amount of windrow left at the end of your driveway.
6. Why is my street only sanded and other streets are salted?
   • To achieve bare pavement, salt must be applied at the onset of snow so that a layer of salt brine is maintained between the road surface and accumulating snow (to prevent bonding). In order to provide this level of service to residential roads, significant increases in equipment and salt would be required, with increased costs and environmental impact. The town as well as other Canadian road agencies are required to have a Salt Management Plan to manage salt use and minimize environmental impacts. It would be unusual for a municipality subject to winter climate conditions, such as Halton Hills, to consider a snow packed road surface as unacceptable for local residential roads.
7. Can you clear the snow banks at street intersections that are presenting a safety hazard?
   • If there is a concern that an intersection needs to be cleared due to obstruction of view, please notify Public Works, and the work will be scheduled after the snow removal areas are completed.
8. Can the Town clear the snow from the first hydrant on my street?
   • The Town does not clear snow around a fire hydrant. Surrounding neighbours are asked to assist in keeping fire hydrants clear.
9. Do we have a snow clearing program for seniors?
   • The Town does not have a snow clearing program for seniors. However, seniors and persons with disabilities who cannot arrange their own service provider can call Links to Care at 905-873-6502 in Georgetown, or 519-853-3310 in Acton, who will look for a contractor to remove snow at the resident's expense.
10. The snow plow has damaged my mailbox. Can it be fixed?
    • Yes, notify Public Works. Once a call is received, a Request for Service is made up, and staff will schedule the repair or replacement.
11. Can you repair the sod damaged by the sidewalk snow plow?
    • Yes, notify Public Works. In the spring, Town staff will topsoil and seed areas where the plow has caused damage. However, it is the homeowner's responsibility to care for the area, once it has been seeded.