Proposed new snow-clearing service in Barrie could ease resident burden but at significant cost

Barrie may be considering a costly new service to help residents clear heavy snow from driveways, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

The City of Barrie may be considering a costly new service to help residents clear heavy snow from driveways after big storms, but it comes with challenges and a hefty price tag.

Dave Friary, the city’s director of operations, provided council with an estimate outlining what it would take to clear the windrow - the pile of snow pushed across driveways by municipal plows.

“Windrow clearing does not fully remove snow from driveway,” Friary explained in the memorandum. “The goal is to push most of the windrow snow to the downstream boulevard, allowing vehicles to exit the driveway. Residents would still need to clear residual snow and address accumulation on the right side of the driveway.”

• POLL: Do you support the City of Barrie introducing a windrow removal service despite the high costs?

Currently, the City doesn’t offer windrow clearing. Friary highlighted that some municipalities around Toronto and York Region do provide similar services, noting those areas receive less than half the snowfall Barrie experiences each year. He added there doesn’t seem to be any similar programs across Simcoe County.

While residents may be supportive of the idea, the costs are significant.

Friary’s note states the annual operating budget is estimated at $12 to $13 million, with a one-time capital investment of about $8.5 million.

The service would rely heavily on contracted crews using 45 front-end loaders equipped with special gates to push snow. The memo stated that over 90 contracted workers would be needed, along with city staff to manage contracts, inspections, and complaints.

Plus, additional city crews would be required in areas where snow storage is limited, and more residential plow routes would be added to keep up with the schedule.

The memo emphasized the need for a 24-hour on-street parking ban during winter events rather than the current overnight rule so vehicles don’t block the plows.

Friary also mentioned technology investments for routing and communication would add over $250,000 to costs, which wasn’t included in the current estimates.

Plus, he noted the city’s Operations Centre doesn’t have space for the required new equipment and staff, so additional facilities would be needed - those costs are still unknown.