From priority roads to sidewalks: This is how the city handles snow clearing

Snow plows in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News)

The City of Barrie says while winter weather can be unpredictable, its approach to snow clearing follows a detailed plan that lays out when crews hit the streets and how long cleanup should take.

According to the City, more than 1,600 kilometres of roads and over 600 kilometres of sidewalks fall under its winter maintenance responsibilities, along with 25 parking lots, 72 crosswalks, 113 bus shelters and 708 bus stops.

The City notes snow around super mailboxes is handled by Canada Post, GO Transit staff clear GO stations, and the Ministry of Transportation is responsible for highways and off-ramps, including the 400-series north of County Road 89 and Highways 90, 26 and 27.

“Pedestrian walkways are not maintained for winter operations,” the City confirms.

Officials also remind residents the City does not remove snow windrows from driveways - that is up to residents.

When it comes to snow clearing, the City organizes its operations by priority level.

Priority Roads

For priority roads, the City says crews are deployed once about five centimetres of snow has fallen. Cleanup is expected to wrap up roughly six hours after the snow stops.

The goal is to keep priority roads as bare as possible through ongoing use of staff, equipment and materials.

Secondary Roads

The same five-centimetre trigger applies to secondary roads, the City says, though cleanup takes a bit longer—about eight hours after the snowfall ends.

As with priority routes, the City aims to keep these roads as bare as conditions allow.

Residential Roads

On residential roads, the City says crews are typically sent out once about eight centimetres of snow has accumulated.

Cleanup can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours after the snowfall ends, depending on timing and severity. According to the City, these streets are maintained in a snow-packed condition using sand, salt and other materials.

Sidewalks

Sidewalks are also cleared by priority.

The City says priority sidewalks are cleared once five centimetres has fallen, while secondary sidewalks are addressed at about eight centimetres.

It adds cleanup times vary based on snowfall amounts and the equipment used, and sidewalks are maintained in a snow-packed state rather than bare pavement.

Fire Hydrants

Residents with fire hydrants occupying their properties are asked to keep them clear every time there is snowfall. Barrie has over 4,000 hydrants.

“In an emergency, every second matters. Hydrants covered in snow can be difficult to locate and uncovering them can waste valuable time needed during a fire fight,” officials state.

There are no rules stating who must keep hydrants clear of snow and ice, but the City says it’s generally considered the responsibility of the property owner.

“If you see a hydrant that’s not cleared of snow, please do the neighbourly thing and dig it out,” the City adds. “Hydrants should have a clearing of one metre (three feet) all around and there should be a clear path to the street to ensure firefighters can readily access them.”