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SNOW AND ICE OPERATIONS
SERVICE STANDARDS
SERVICE STANDARDS
The Town of Atikokan is committed to keeping streets and sidewalks clear and safe from
snow and ice. Even before a snow event occurs, TOA's snow operations are set in
motion to facilitate safe movement for both motorists and pedestrians. Snow and ice
operations, however, do take time. The goal is to set an attainable standard which align
the levels of service with the financial constraints of the TOA budget.
In order to achieve this standard, routes must be classified based on their impact on the
overall transportation system. TOA has classified all of the routes and will service them
(salt, sand and plow) in the following order of priority:
Streets
Priority 1 Streets and Roads
First Priority streets includes main arterials, emergency routes to hospitals and fire
equipment, major school bus routes, and snow routes in major hilly terrain during
weather situations. TOA's goal is to make class 1 streets safe and clear of snow within
12 hours of the end of snowfall.
Priority 2 Streets and Roads
Second Priority streets include residential and rural routes with medium to low volume
traffic, gravel roads, and private lanes which TOA is responsible for. TOA's goal is
make Class 2 streets passable within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall.
Sidewalks
Priority 1 Sidewalks
First Priority sidewalks include main arterials and sidewalks within the Main Street
District. TOA's goal is to clear these sidewalks within 12 hours of the end of snowfall.
School Route Sidewalks
TOA's goal is to clear school route sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall.
Residential Street Sidewalks and Walkways
TOA's goal is to clear residential sidewalks and walkways within 36 hours of the end of
snowfall.
Important Notes on Service Standards
In snowfalls greater than 30 cm, or in blizzard conditions, service levels may not be
achieved. TOA's crews will continue working until all streets and sidewalks are clear
and safe from snow and ice.
During significant snow events "cut through" (one lane plowing) may commence on
residential streets to allow single lane access prior to full street clearing.
While the objective is to maintain sidewalks to a bare or near bare condition, many
factors are key to achieving success. Wet snow packed to ice, freezing rain and sudden
freezes after rain can produce a heavy ice build-up on sidewalks. Sand will be applied to
provide a degree of traction.
In the case of multiple snowfalls, where there has been insufficient time to complete all
roadways and sidewalks, operations will return to the highest priorities and start over.
Plowing will result in snow at the end of resident's driveways. TOA will NOT be
responsible for removing this snow.
Street Clearing Standards
Priority 1
Main Arterials
Obrien Street, Mackenzie Avenue, Mercury Avenue, Main Street
Transit Routes, Collector Roads
Hemlock Avenue, Hawthorne Road, Rooney Street, Zuke Road (south), Dorothy Street,
Maple Crescent (west), Birch Road
Residential Streets with Greater Than 10% Slope that Serves as Bus Route
Front Street, Highland Park
Priority 2
Residential Streets
Laneways
Sidewalk Clearing Standards
Priority 1
Main Arterials, Main Street District
Hemlock Avenue, Hawthorne Road, Main Street, Obrien Street, Mackenzie Avenue
School Routes
Mercury Avenue, Maple Crescent, Birch Road, Pine Crescent, Spruce Road
Residential Street Sidewalks and Walkways
SNOW AND ICE CONTROL FAQS
1. When will my street be plowed?
After a snowfall, our crews plow, sand and salt the streets following a service standard.
The Service Standard is the basis for prioritizing snow and ice service delivery. Within
the Standard, the Priority 1 Streets include such streets as main arteries, ambulance and
bus routes, hill areas and streets leading to schools and public buildings; once Priority 1
streets are complete, then TOA will clear residential roads which are classed as Priority 2.
The Service Standard requires that the Priority 1 streets be completed within 12 hours
after the end of the snowfall and 24 hours for all Priority 2 streets.
During a snow event, we ask that residents please be patient during snow clear up.
TOA's resources are busy with snow removal therefore inquiries about street priorities
and snow removal can be best addressed at the completion of a snow event. Our snow
and ice crews are out in full force and will work until all streets and sidewalks are
completed.
2. Why haven't they plowed my street or sidewalk?
During and after a snow storm, our snow and ice crews are out in full force and are
working to clear the streets and sidewalks. Our snow and ice service delivery is based on
the Service Standard and eventually they will reach your street. Residents can normally
expect streets to be cleaned within 24 hours and up to 72 hours for sidewalks. However,
things like the amount of snow, time of day, and equipment breakdown can affect
whether or not your street might be plowed. Please be patient and rest assured that crews
are out working and snow clearing will not stop until all streets and sidewalks are
completed.
3. Why did the plow dump all the snow in my driveway and will it be cleared?
When plowing streets, the snow plow does not have a place to push snow except to the
curb of the road. It is very important to have the snow pushed well back to open up all
catch basins and to provide for snow storage for subsequent snow storms. This means
that the plow must make several passes to ensure the snow is pushed bask as close as
possible to the curb. As a result, your driveways will be filled. It is also important that
these additional snow removal passes be made to minimize the narrowing of streets
which impacts over time the ability of emergency vehicles to access the streets when
required.
TOA understands this is an inconvenience but we as residents to please understand that
the purpose of this is to keep the streets safe and free of snow. Snow that accumulates in
driveways will not be removed by the Municipality because such service requires
additional equipment and staffing resources.
4. Why are the streets in one area cleared better than another?
Snow and ice Service Standards are the same for all TOA streets; however in any given
situation these standards may be impacted based on the timing of the storm, the amount
of traffic and snowfalls, and operational issues like equipment breakdown. It is our
intention to deliver a consistent level of snow and ice services throughout all of the
TOA's serviced area.
5. Why doesn't the plow do a better job clearing the crest of a cul-de-sac?
It is very difficult for our larger plows to manipulate in the crest of a cul-de-sac to clear
all the snow. As more snow builds up throughout the winter, these units present a unique
challenge for snow clearing operations. As work scheduling and equipment availability
permits, and once a significant amount of snow accumulates in the cul-de-sac, we attempt
to remove it.
6. Why did the snow plow push all the snow up against my car and then go around
and push the snow into the front of my car?
During a snow storm, the public is asked to not park on any TOA streets if permitted, as
it interferes with the carrying out and delivery of snow and ice services. If the vehicle is
left on the street, the plow has to go around the vehicle and this will result in snow being
pushed up around the front and back of the vehicle.
7. I am a senior citizen and am concerned that I cannot do the amount of snow
shovelling that is required in the winter months.
The TOA has a program to assist seniors with the removal of snow that accumulates at
the end of their driveways as a result of snow plowing. This snow removal will be done
once all other Service Standards have been completed. Driveway snow removal is at the
responsibility of the resident or homeowner. For general inquiries about this program
call 597-1234 ext 230 or 597-2135.
8. The snow banks are too high at different intersections and I would like to have
the snow removed.
TOA carries out snow removal at intersections to improve line of sight for drivers. This
work is carried out by the same equipment and crews that provide all the other snow and
ice services. Once all the streets, sidewalks, and parking lots have been completed these
crews carry out intersection snow removal as the equipment and manpower permits. If
you have a particular location in mind, we will place it on the list for snow removal
understanding that major intersections will be given first priority.
9. Why don't the snow plow operators plow all the way back to the curb?
TOA's practice is to plow the snow whenever possible back as far as the curb. However,
in any given snow storm, with the amount of snow, where the previous snow windrow
has frozen in place, or if the plow cannot push all the snow that has fallen, it may not be
all the way back to the curb, but it is our practice to try and get it back to the curb
whenever possible. There are also situations particularly in the early winter or late
spring, when it snows and the area behind the curbs is not frozen, our plows can do a
considerable amount of damage to the curb and sodded area, therefore we instruct our
operators to use care and stay back from the curb sufficiently to prevent this damage.
10. Why do they need to tear up the grass with the plow, don't they know where the
curb is?
Our plow operators make every effort to minimize damage to sodded areas and the curb,
particularly in the early winter and late spring when there is no frost in the ground and
makes this damage particularly easy to occur. In a snow storm situation, it is difficult for
plow operators to see where the actual curb is, and they can do considerable damage
without the operator feeling the damage occur. Therefore, there are situations where the
plow operator intentionally tries to stay back from the curb and sodded area, but as
indicated, this is difficult when there is a lot of snow or visibility is bad during a snow
storm. Any damage that is done and reported to the Municipality will be repaired by the
Municipality.