Snow Clearing Standards
Timelines and service levels you can expect from the Town during snow clearing operations.
Understanding snow clearing priorities
Snow clearing priority levels are based on how a road functions in the overall road system. Some roads are main travel routes, while others lead to homes. Main roads are cleared more fully because they carry more traffic and higher speeds. Residential roads are used at lower speeds and may be left with snow pack conditions.
Different priority levels of roads are cleared with different equipment, so crews working on primary/secondary roads cannot always clear nearby residential streets at the same time.
Occasionally, sections of roads can transition from one priority level to another (ex: Dalebrook Drive).
Road conditions may also look different after a storm. This helps keep roads safe, use equipment wisely, and reduce salt use to protect the environment.
After the plows are finished
Roads and sidewalks won't always be cleared to bare pavement
To achieve bare roads and sidewalks, 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.
- To provide this level of service to residential roads, significant increases in equipment and salt would be required, with increased costs and environmental impact.
- Oakville, as well as other Canadian road agencies, are required to have a Salt Management Plan to manage salt use and minimize environmental impacts.
- Aside from Business Improvement Areas (Downtown, Kerr Street, Bronte), sidewalks are only plowed.
Expect "snow pack" on residential roads, laneways and sidewalks
Snow pack is hard-packed snow on a roadway. It can be expected periodically on residential roads.
- Snow pack develops quickly as vehicles travel on snow-covered roads.
- Snow plows are unable to scrape off snow pack as it is usually bonded to the pavement.
- Although bumpy at times, vehicles typically navigate snow pack quite easily.
- Under snow pack conditions, some rutting can be expected.
- Our Roads and Works team will take steps to improve conditions when warranted.
- It would be unusual for a municipality that is subject to winter conditions, such as Oakville, to consider a snow pack unacceptable for local residential roads.
Lawn and sod damage
Plow operators try to minimize sod damage, but some degree of damage is inevitable.
- Sidewalk plows must be large machines to effectively plow deep snow. This makes them less forgiving to operate on sidewalks.
- Deep or drifted snow conditions often completely hide the sidewalk edge.
- When sod is frozen, damage is minimized; however, when sod is not frozen, it lifts away easily and damage can be extensive.
- Often, the sod removed is overgrowth growing onto the sidewalk.
- To report sod damage, please visit the Winter Services report a problem page. Sod damages reported before May 15 of each year, will be added to the list of inspection/repairs for completion by the end of May. If reported later, repairs may be rescheduled for the next winter season.
Fire hydrants
Every second counts during an emergency!
- If you can, please help Oakville Fire by keeping at least one metre clearance around hydrants in all directions near your home or business.
- If you require assistance, please contact Halton Region by calling 311.