What Oakville’s winter snow clearing operations are

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Published December 8, 2021 at 11:27 am

Snow Mississauga

With snow beginning to fly, Town of Oakville salt trucks have already been out on primary and secondary roads helping to keep the roads clear.

With temperatures dipping and the snow season heading into full gear, the Town of Oakville will be busy plowing, salting and clearing sidewalks to help us get around this winter.

Here’s a reminder of what Oakville’s snow clearing operations are during the winter months:

PLOWING

Primary and secondary roads are first on the list to be cleared when the snow begins to build to ensure that local residents and emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks can travel safely after a large snowfall.

The Town plows residential streets after 7.5 centimetres (three inches) of snow accumulates. All streets that need plowing are to be cleared within 24 hours after the end of the storm, though heavy storms can extend this period longer.

For information on what roads have been plowed, use the Town’s PlowOakville snow plow tracker or call the information line at 905-815-5999.

SALTING

The Town of Oakville dispatches its sand/salt trucks at the start of a snowfall and at the first sign of roads beginning to ice up.

Primary roads, the streets with the greatest volume of traffic, are first to be salted or sanded. Secondary roads, which lead to primary roads, are then salted or sanded next.

Residential streets generally receive salt/sand at intersections, hills and sharp curves.

Road priority map (pdf)

SIDEWALKS

Sidewalks on primary and secondary roads are cleared only after five centimetres of snow or more accumulates, and only after roads are cleared.

Residential sidewalks are cleared after eight centimetres of snow accumulates.

Sidewalks on primary and secondary roads with schools are plowed first, followed by residential sidewalks.

Only when there are extremely slippery conditions will sidewalk salting and sanding be done on primary and secondary roads.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

  • Remove snow from fire hydrants and drainage catch basins near your property.
  • Remove plowed snow at the end of your driveway. Snowplow operators must push snow to the curb or shoulder, possibly covering recently shovelled driveways.
  • Park vehicles off the street when possible. By-law 1984-1 prohibits parking of vehicles on town streets between 2 and 6 a.m. from November 15 to April 15.

Temporary On-Street Parking Permits are available for visitor/guest parking when parking requirements temporarily exceed parking provisions.

However, during a snowstorm a permit will not be valid for use on the road. Residents can request a temporary parking permit or visit the Parking Permits page for more details.

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