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Snow Clearance
Long before the season's first snowfall, road maintenance crews in the Town of Newmarket work hard to prepare for winter. Crews transform dump trucks and tractors into snowploughs, perform winter vehicle maintenance and stockpile supplies of sand and salt. Each year, better technology and systems are used to help keep our roads safe.The logistics of putting road crews and equipment out during inclement weather requires detailed planning. Streets must be kept clear for use by fire, police and emergency services as well as business and personal travellers.
Did you know:
Why do ploughs push snow into driveways?
Snow must be ploughed to the side of the street during clearing. The Town understands that this unavoidable situation can be frustrating.
To ensure adequate road width, crews must plough as close to the curb as possible. Crews may also need to pass over a street more than once during a snowfall. During quick thaw situations, multiple passing ensures proper water drainage and helps us avoid heavy road flooding. At other times, snow is pushed back to prevent hardened snow that becomes impossible to move later.
Why are cul-de-sac streets cleared last?
Due to varied shapes, sizes and presence of centre islands, cul-de-sacs and wide elbows require specialized snow removal equipment and procedures. Most are serviced on a single shift after priority and other roads have been ploughed. The Town's road system currently contains more than 155 cul-de-sacs and 125 wide elbows. The Town understands the frustration that can occur for affected residents. We continually review the snow removal process in an effort to be more efficient and reduce delays that occur in clearing snow in cul-de-sac and wide elbow areas.
There are approximately 250 kilometres of road in Newmarket. Thank you for your patience during snow clearing operations.
Who removes snow from sidewalks?
The Town clears sidewalks on arterial, primary and minor collector roads and certain local roads where schools, Town parks and facilities exist.
Bylaw 1996-38 states that property owners remain responsible for removing snow fronting their property within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall in accordance with Town bylaws. Sidewalks on local roads are generally not maintained by the Town during the winter and remain the responsibility of the property owner.
To help crews provide the best possible winter sidewalk maintenance, Town bylaws also prohibit parking over sidewalks.
Questions?
Please call us at 905-895-5193 or e-mail: customerservice@newmarket.ca
