February 26, 2013
With the possibility of a sizable snowfall expected over the next 24 hours, the City of Toronto is reminding residents and businesses about the levels of snow clearing the City provides and what residents can do prior to a storm.
As soon as the snow begins, Transportation Services sends out its fleet of salt trucks to the expressways and the main roads. After this, the salt trucks will then move on to the local roads. If the City receives two centimetres of snow, the plows are sent to the expressways and, if five centimetres falls, plows go to the main roads and plowing will take place for the duration of the storm.
When the snow stops and if the snow accumulation reaches eight centimetres, plows will be sent to the local roads. Snow clearing on the local roads is usually completed between 14-16 hours after the snow stops falling. During this time, snow service requests will not be taken by 311. Residents are also asked not to call 311 during the storm to ask when their street will be plowed.
The City will clear snow from sidewalks on local roads where it is mechanically possible to do so after five centimetres of snow has fallen. In the central core of the city, property owners are required to clear their sidewalks of snow 12 hours after a storm has taken place. To learn more about sidewalk snow clearing in Toronto and to view a map of where the service takes place, click on www.toronto.ca/transportation/snow/sidewalks .
Here are some other tips for the public to consider:
• If the snowfall is significant, consider working from home • If the storm is severe, don't drive if you don't have to. This is for personal safety as well as to permit snow clearing operations to occur more efficiently • If you must travel, please consider taking public transit • Pick up any critical medications prior to the storm.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Media Contact: Steve Johnston, Sr. Communications Coordinator, (416) 392-4391, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.