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THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MALAHIDE
Section: Physical Services
Division:
Roads
Subject: Sidewalk Winter Maintenance
Policy Number:
Approved by:
Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
Date Approved:
Date Last Reviewed:
October 15, 2019
Date Last Revised:
October 15, 2019
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish a service level and procedures for winter
maintenance on municipal sidewalks on the roadway.
To assist the Municipality in meeting its obligations regarding "Minimum Maintenance
Standards for Municipal Highways" as set out under Ontario Regulation 239/02 of the
Municipal Act, 2001.
BACKGROUND:
Whereas the Highway Traffic Act, RSO 1990, as amended, provides that where no
sidewalks are available to pedestrians, they are permitted to use a portion of the roadway.
The Township began providing winter maintenance on municipal sidewalks that are
located within 1.6 kilometers of a school and that are located on the Elgin County road
allowance in 2011.
With the recent revision of the Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) in May
2018 to include winter maintenance requirements for sidewalks, The Township now
deems it necessary to provide winter maintenance on all municipal sidewalks identified in
the Villages of Avon, Lyons and Springfield. This policy identifies those sections of
sidewalks and establishes the service level standards.
POLICY STATEMENT:
SIDEWALK WINTER CONTROL POLICY - Updated 2018.doc
Winter maintenance activities will be undertaken on all municipal sidewalks that are
located within the Villages of Avon, Lyons and Springfield as identified herein.
LEVEL OF SERVICE:
The Township of Malahide Sidewalk Winter Maintenance Policy shall meet the
requirements of O.Reg 239/02 - Minimum Maintenance Standard for Municipal Highways
for Snow and Ice Accumulation.
Winter maintenance activities will be undertaken on those sidewalks that are located
within the municipal road allowance or Elgin County road allowance as identified. Those
sidewalks identified as Priority 1 in the Village of Springfield shall receive priority service.
An appendix is attached to this policy showing the location of the sidewalks which fit the
criteria for winter maintenance.
Snow Accumulation:
The standard for addressing snow accumulation on a sidewalk after the snow
accumulation has ended is,
a) to reduce the snow to a depth less than or equal to 8 centimetres (3 inches)
within 48 hours; and
b) to provide a minimum sidewalk width of 1 metre (3 feet).
If the depth of snow accumulation on a sidewalk is less than or equal to 8 centimetres (3
inches), the sidewalk is deemed to be in a state of repair in respect of snow accumulation.
If the depth of snow accumulation on a sidewalk exceeds 8 centimetres (3 inches) while
the snow continues to accumulate, the sidewalk is deemed to be in a state of repair with
respect to snow accumulation, until 48 hours after the snow accumulation ends.
Ice Accumulation:
The standard for the prevention of ice formation on sidewalks is to,
a) monitor the weather in accordance with MMS section 3.1 in the 24-hour
period preceding an alleged formation of ice on a sidewalk; and
b) treat the sidewalk if practicable to prevent ice formation or improve traction
within 48 hours if the municipality determines that there is a substantial
probability of ice forming on a sidewalk, starting from the time that the
municipality determines is the appropriate time to deploy resources for that
purpose.
If ice forms on a sidewalk even though the municipality meets the standard set out, the
sidewalk is deemed to be in a state of repair in respect of ice until 48 hours after the
municipality first becomes aware of the fact that the sidewalk is icy.
The standard for treating icy sidewalks after the municipality becomes aware of the fact
that a sidewalk is icy is to treat the icy sidewalk within 48 hours, and an icy sidewalk is
deemed to be in a state of repair for 48 hours after it has been treated.
For the purposes of this section, treating a sidewalk means applying materials including
salt, sand or any combination of salt and sand to the sidewalk.
Municipal Property Damage:
Any damage to municipal property as a result of winter control activities will be addressed
at the discretion and to the satisfaction of the Roads and Construction Manager.
Sidewalks may be removed from the winter maintenance program if they have a physical
obstruction or are too narrow to be effectively maintained by contracted snow equipment.
The Director of Physical Services will be the sole judge as to the removal of the sidewalk
from the winter maintenance program.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Roads and Construction Manager, or his designate:
-
will manage the sidewalk winter maintenance program;
-
will document:
o the condition of the sidewalks;
o the type and duration of winter events; and
o the winter maintenance activities undertaken in response to winter events.
Weather conditions may require actions other than those outlined in this policy, and
hence, the Roads and Construction Manager may exercise discretion as local conditions
dictate.
DECLARATION OF A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENT:
If a municipality declares a significant weather event relating to snow and/or ice
accumulation, the standard for addressing snow and/or accumulation on sidewalks until
the declaration of the end of the significant weather event is,
a) to monitor the weather conditions; and
SIDEWALK WINTER CONTROL POLICY - Updated 2018.doc
b) if deemed practicable by the municipality, to deploy resources to address
snow accumulation on sidewalks starting from the time that the municipality
deems appropriate to do so
All sidewalks within the municipality are deemed to be in a state of repair with respect to
any snow and/or present until 48 hours following the declaration of the end of the
significant weather event by the municipality.
Following the end of the weather hazard in respect of which a significant weather event
was declared by a municipality the municipality shall,
(a) declare the end of the significant weather event when the municipality
determines it is appropriate to do so; and
(b) address snow accumulation on sidewalks in accordance with the Minimum
Maintenance Standards
REVIEW REQUIREMENTS:
Annually by the Director
_____________________________________________
R. Johnson - Director of Physical Services
_________________________________________
M. Casavecchia, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
APPENDIX 'A' - SIDEWALK LOCATIONS
Location
Road Name
Description
Length
Avon
Avon Drive
South side, from Putnam Road, easterly 175m
175m
Village of Avon Total Sidewalks
175m
Lyons
Imperial Road
West side, from Lyons Line northerly 175m
175m
Imperial Road
West side, from Lyons Line southerly 140m
140m
Lyons Line
South side, from Imperial Road easterly 170m
170m
Village of Lyons Total Sidewalks
485m
Springfield
Priority 1 Sidewalks
Ron McNeil Line
South Side, from Mun. No. 50939 to Mun. No. 51429
1,210m
Ron McNeil Line
North Side, from Mun. No. 51102 to Mun. No. 51336
620m
Whittaker Road
West Side, from Ron McNeil Line to Mun. No. 12471
620m
Springfield Road
East Side, from Ron McNeil Line, northerly 40m
40m
Springfield Road
West Side, from Ron McNeil Line to Mun. No. 11627
900m
Priority 2 Sidewalks
Detroit Street
West side, from Ron McNeil Line to Broadway Street
100m
Broadway Street
South Side, from Whittaker Road to Mill Street
300m
Broadway Street
North Side, from McIntosh Street to Whittaker Road
95m
McIntosh Street
West Side, from Ron McNeil Line to Broadway Street
90m
Pressey Line
North Side, from Springfield Road to Catherine Street
570m
Springfield Road
East Side, from Pressey Line to Ron McNeil Line
50m
Whittaker Road
West Side, from Ron McNeil Line to Broadway Street
100m
Village of Springfield Total Sidewalks
4,695m
Township of Malahide Total Sidewalks
5,355m