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# Winter Snow Removal
Huron East provides a high level of snow removal service using a combination of Municipal staff and contractors, following the Province's Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways to clear roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots in the event of a snowfall.
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## On this page:
1. Winter maintenance
2. Winter parking
3. How do I report a snow related issue?
4. Weather reports
5. Clearing fire hydrants of snow
6. How you can help
7. Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
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## Winter maintenance
Plowing crews are dispatched once approximately 8 cm of snow has accumulated on municipal roads. Priority is given to clearing snow from primary and some secondary roads first to ensure that emergency service vehicles have safe passage throughout the Municipality. These roads carry higher volumes of traffic and are roads people use to get to business areas and in and out of urban areas.
Road patrols are completed twice a day between 2:00 to 4:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) followed by two plow runs.
View our Winter Operations Plan.
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## Winter parking
No parking is permitted on any street, road or municipal parking lot within the Municipality of Huron East between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., from November 1 to April 15. Violators will be ticketed and may have their vehicles towed or impounded.
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## How do I report a snow related road issue?
### Municipal road
Complete a Report It form or contact the Public Works Department.
### Huron County road
* CR12 (North Line, Brussels Line, Kippen Road)
* CR25 (Blyth Road)
* CR19 (McNaught Line, Ethel Line, Molesworth Line)
* CR16 (Newry Road)
* CR86 (Amberley Road, Perth Line 86)
* CR17 (Winthrop Road)
* CR3 (Mill Road)
* CR32 (Staffa Road)
Please contact the Huron County Public Works Department.
### Provincial Highway
* Highway 4
* Highway 8 (Huron Road)
Please call 1-855-557-8478.
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## Weather reports
You can use the links below to check current weather and road conditions:
* The Weather Network Local Forecast
* Environment Canada Weather
* Environment Canada Local Radar
* The Weather Network Highway Forecast
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## Clearing fire hydrants of snow
The Municipality encourages property owners and residents to voluntarily assist by keeping fire hydrants near their homes or businesses clear of snow. While this is not a requirement, your help ensures that fire and emergency services can access hydrants quickly during an emergency, when every second counts.
Here's how you can help:
* Clear snow from all sides of the hydrant, creating a 3 foot radius around it
* Check hydrants regularly after plows pass to ensure they remain visible
When clearing hydrants, please prioritize safety. Be mindful of passing traffic and wear bright or reflective clothing to be seen.
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## How you can help
### Do:
* Be patient. In heavy snowfalls it takes us longer to get all of our streets cleared.
* Be a good neighbour. Help those who may not be able to shovel their driveways and sidewalks.
* Put waste and recycling bins in your driveway and not on the road allowance on your designated collection days.
* Pile snow on the right side of your driveway. This is the down-side of the plow so it will help to reduce snow build-up in your driveway.
* Slow down! Drive according to the weather and road conditions.
* When possible, let the salt work on the roads before driving.
* Keep driveways clear of any shoulder snow accumulations from street or sidewalk plowing.
### Don't:
* Park on the street during a snowfall, or immediately following a snowfall if plowing is still needed.
* Park your vehicle at the very end of a driveway or across the sidewalk/boulevard area. Plow operators are not able to do their job properly if there are parked vehicles in the way.
* Follow too closely to snow plows - especially on hills.
* Place snow from sidewalks or driveways on the street. This creates a hazard for vehicles, and is prohibited by the Highway Traffic Act.
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## Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
What equipment does the Municipality use?
Our fleet includes the following:
* Snow plows (equipped with salt/sanders)
* Loader with plow
* Backhoe loader
* Sidewalk plows
* Contractor equipment
* Grader with plow
Why do some roads get first priority?
Primary roads are prioritized because they carry heavy traffic, have steep grades, or connect to major secondary routes. These roads must remain clear for emergency and transit vehicles.
Our goal is to plow all streets within 16 hours after snowfall reaches 8 cm. During heavy snowfalls, delays may occur--please be patient.
Can the snow plows minimize the amount of snow left at the bottom of my driveway?
Our priority is clearing the travelled portion of the road. The only place to move the snow is onto the boulevard, which includes driveways. As a result, snow left at the bottom of driveways is unavoidable.
Does the Municipality come back to remove snow its plows have dumped in my driveway?
Owners and/or occupants of residential and business properties are responsible for keeping driveways clear down to the street. Because street plowing operations push snow from the road to the boulevard, this does fill in driveways. Unfortunately, the Municipality does not have the resources to come back to remove snow left by its plows at the end of driveways.
Why does the snow plow seem to dump a lot of snow on corner lots?
Corner lots often receive more snow because plows clear a larger roadway area at intersections.
Why have sidewalks not been plowed yet?
* Sidewalk clearing follows a priority system similar to roads, however, there are weekday and weekend sidewalk clearing routes. On the weekend, not all sidewalks will be cleared.
* Once snow reaches 8 cm, sidewalk plows are dispatched. Full clearing may take up to 24 hours.
* Heavy snowfalls may require blower attachments, which take 2-3 times longer.
* Sand or salt is applied during icy conditions.
* Drifting snow may refill cleared sidewalks; these areas are addressed during clean-up within 24-72 hours.
When will snow be cleared around Canada Post mailboxes?
Canada Post maintains the area around their mailboxes and is responsible for snow clearing. If you have any concerns, please contact Canada Post at 1-800-267-1177.
I am not physically able to clear my driveway. Who can help me?
The Municipality does not offer snow clearing assistance on private property. You may be able to get assistance from a family member, a friend or a neighbour, and there are also a number of private snow clearing businesses in the area that provide this service. Please check online search engine for listings.
Why are some areas of the street not plowed properly?
Most problem areas on streets are the result of parked cars blocking the snow plows or residents dumping snow from their driveways back onto the public roadway. For adequate snow clearing operations, the streets must be clear of parked cars. Residents are encouraged to avoid parking vehicles on the street, either during or following a snowstorm, and are prohibited from dumping snow on the street. Depositing snow on the public roadway is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act. Parking on the street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited under by-law.
What do I do if I have an emergency and I cannot get out of my driveway due to snow?
Call 9-1-1. The emergency services will contact our snow clearing crews and we will work in co-operation with police, fire and ambulance to make sure they can reach you.
What should I do when a snow-covered basin is causing flooding during a thaw?
Citizens are encouraged to clear snow-covered catch basins or to notify the Operations Department at 519-527-0160.
It stopped snowing yesterday, but my road or sidewalk hasn't been plowed. What should I do?
We aim to clear roads within 16 hours and sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall reaches 8 cm. Severe conditions may cause delays. If you believe your area was missed, call 519-527-0160.
It's not snowing and all of the roads have been cleared. Why are the plows out on the road?
After one snow event ends and the roads have been cleared, we prepare for the next event. You may see that plows are out pushing snowbanks back off the road way to expose catch basins in anticipation of snow melt, or simply to make more room for the next snow fall. We may also be out applying material to the roads in advance of an expected snow event which is forecasted to occur in the near future.
Why can't the sidewalk plow and road plow come down my street at the same time?
Unfortunately, due to the variations in the plow routes, the difference in the capability and speed of sidewalk plows versus road plows, and the difference in priority routes, it's nearly impossible to align the timing and scheduling of the sidewalk and road plowing operations.
My mailbox was damaged. What is the Municipal policy?
The Huron East Public Works Department will replace or repair any mailbox and/or post that has been physically damaged by its snow removal equipment (i.e. hit by the plow, not by flying snow). If your mailbox is damaged by snow thrown from the plow, it is your responsibility to repair or replace your mailbox and post as per Canada Post guidelines.
When requesting a replacement, you are required to have the damaged material available for inspection by the roads department.
When will the snow pile in front of my house be cleaned up?
Snow piles are trucked away between snow events when equipment is not actively clearing roads.
Why is there snow on the road after the plow has gone past?
Colder temperatures cause snow to bond to the road surface, creating packed snow from both snowfall and traffic. As a result, plows cannot scrape down to bare pavement until temperatures rise enough to loosen the snow.
Contact Us
**Municipality of Huron East**
72 Main Street South
PO Box 610
Seaforth ON N0K1W0
Phone: 519-527-0160
Toll Free: 1-888-868-7513
Fax: 519-527-2561
**Grace Mayhew**
Planning and Operations Coordinator
**Municipality of Huron East**
72 Main Street South
PO Box 610
Seaforth ON N0K1W0
Phone: 519-527-0160 ext. 27
Toll Free: 1-888-868-7513
Fax: 519-527-2561
Email this contact
**Brittany Wood**
Operations Administrative Assistant
**Municipality of Huron East**
72 Main Street South
PO Box 610
Seaforth ON N0K1W0
Phone: 519-527-0160 ext. 31
Toll Free: 1-888-868-7513
Fax: 519-527-2561
Email this contact