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# Winter Maintenance
## Roads and Sewer After Hours Line
*In the event of a Roads & Sewer Emergency, that is occurring outside of normal working hours, please call 1-888-921-1258.*
Winter conditions are regularly monitored in all areas of the Town. The main objective of the Snow Clearing and Removal program is to provide safe, passable roads, sidewalks and parking lots so that the public can travel throughout the Municipality in a safe and efficient manner during the winter months. As well, this procedure facilitates the handling of emergencies by the hospital, ambulance, fire and police departments and allows safe passage of school busses and pedestrian traffic.
The Town provides winter maintenance to more than 190 lane km of Town roads (taking both sides of roadways into account) and more than 18.3 km of designated sidewalks.
Snow Removal Map
Level of Service Policy (Snow Removal)
Minimum Maintenance Standards
## Operations
### Snowplowing
Snowplow operations begin with the first significant snowfall. This can be as early as October or as late as December.
Township bylaws prohibit parking or stopping on the road in a way that interferes with plowing operations. Plow operators need clear roadways to complete their routes safely and on time.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, residents are not allowed to deposit snow on the roadway. When clearing snow, pile it on your property - do not shovel it onto the sidewalk, onto the road or across the road into the ditch. This practice is dangerous because it covers the sand and may cause drivers to lose control while plowing through the snow.
### Sanding
The sand applied to roads is mixed with 7-8% salt to prevent the sand from freezing. During freezing rain or other icy conditions, this mixture may be increased to 12% to provide safer driving conditions. The Township does not apply unmixed salt to roads.
## Yearly Reminders
### Winter Parking
Residents are reminded that there is no parking between the hours of **1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.** from November 1 until April 1, unless otherwise posted.
* Cars must be off the road during snow plowing
* Cars impeding snow plowing can be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.
* Keeping your car off the street will speed up snow removal.
## Garbage and Recycling
In an effort to maintain the safety and efficiency of these operations the Town is requesting that homeowners and businesses place their garbage/recycling containers away from the roads and place inside of the driveways.
County of Simcoe Solid Waste Management Information
## Traffic Lights - Main Street & Robert Street
When approaching the Main Street intersection controlled by the **flashing amber light**, the drivers on Main Street have the right of way. This is not a four-way stop. Drivers on Main Street must enter the intersection with caution and yield the right of way to any pedestrians within the crosswalks. Pedestrians should remember that drivers are not required to come to a full stop for a flashing amber light; and before entering the roadway against amber light, a pedestrian should exercise extra care and be on guard against drivers who may not be able to stop.
When approaching the Robert Street intersection controlled by the **flashing red light,** the drivers on Robert Street are required to stop and may only enter the intersection when it is safe to do so (as they would for a stop sign). Pedestrians should remember that while the drivers on Robert Street are stopped there may be vehicles turning from Main Street. Pedestrians should exercise extra care and be on guard against drivers who may not be able to stop.
## Frequently Asked Questions
Snow must be pushed to the side of the road to clear the road for traffic. The Town understands
that this unavoidable situation can be frustrating.
Sometimes it is necessary to make several passes with the snowplows during a storm. At other
times it will be necessary to push back the banks to allow room for more snow and to provide
room for drainage during the thaw.
Homes that are located near corners or in cul-de-sacs may get more snow in the driveways than
homes located on a straight section of road. This too is unavoidable.
Lifting the blade of the snowplows in front of a home to reduce the amount of snow going into
the driveway is not allowed. The snowplow is put into operation to clear the snow off the road
and in order for this to happen the blade must stay in contact with the road surface at all times.
Seasonal residents who visit their cottages during the winter months should expect their
driveway's to be impassible unless the driveways have been regularly maintained. Snow that
has accumulated over the winter will be hard-packed and icy.
It is important to note that our plow operators do not intentionally block driveways. Due to the
difficulty of removing large amounts of snow, many people find it easier to clear the snow before
it becomes too heavy. Often this is before the storm has ended and while snowplowing
operations are still underway. Please understand that until roads are completely cleared, it
should be anticipated that you might have to clear your driveway several times during and after
storm events.
Also some snow removal contractors clear driveways before the road is plowed; this is an issue
that should be discussed with your contractor.
In order to completely clear an intersection, the plow must make two passes. First, swing wide
into the intersection to reach the centre area then to return to push snow back to the curb line.
Also, speed is reduced and snow is placed at the curb line and is not spread over a wider swath
in the boulevard
The sidewalk operator are each assigned a designated route. The routes are designed to clear
sidewalks in a systematic way that generally follows the snowplow operators.
During normal snowfall events, the sidewalk plow operator will strive to follow his route in the
same way every time. This will provide some consistency in the timeframe that the sidewalks
are completed..
Some winter events are much more severe than others, leading to exceptionally large quantities
of snowfall, drifting, or freezing rain. In these conditions, the sidewalk plow operator may have
to plow and sand the at a slower pace.
During periods of freezing rain, the sidewalk plow may have to apply much more sand than
normal, requiring the trackless to return to the works yard more often for refilling.
Although crews are very conscientious in following route schedules, sometimes streets may be
missed due to an oversight, broken machinery or staff issues. Please contact the administration
office (705-549-7992) to advise.
Salt is kept to a minimum. The use of straight salt is kept to a minimum. The normal mixture
used 50/50 of sand and salt mixture. Our goal is to be proactive in the area while recognizing
the safety of Municipal sidewalks during slippery conditions, keeping in mind that like roadways
factors such as but not limited to amount of sun or shade, wind, pedestrian traffic, etc all play a
part in snow and ice melt.
Similar to snow maintenance on the roads, the Town is divided into 2 routes with arterial and
collector roads completed first. Priority sidewalks include sidewalks around schools, medical
facilities, community safety zones and business areas.
Sometimes due to equipment breakdown, manpower shortage or limited availability on
weekends, only priority sidewalks maybe completed.
First, determine if the damage was caused by the sidewalk plow or private contractor. The Town
has no control over snow load and does not reimburse homeowners for that type of damage.
Sometimes a sidewalk plow will damage property, which is usually lifting of sod the plow blade.
This is not intentionally performed.
If your sod has been damaged by the sidewalk plow, please call the Public Works department at
705-549-7992.
Most routes are completed within the quality standard depending on the type of storm.
Clearance time may be longer when snowfalls are heavy, there are complications due to
freezing rain, many cars are parked on the street, or crews area clearing snow during peak
traffic times.
In accordance with Ministry of Labour regulations, drivers cannot work for more than 13 hours
without an extended rest period. There are other restrictions limiting the number of consecutive
days a driver can work. These regulations were put in place to protect our drivers and other
motorists.
Overnight, winter patrollers monitor the conditions of the Town. If a winter storm develops the
patroller will call in the daytime roads crews for a 3 am start and begin plowing and sanding
major roads.
With this schedule most roads are cleared in time for the morning commute and school bus
operations.
Due to varied shapes and sizes, cul-de-sacs pose a challenge to snowplow equipment. The
roads are plowed to the cul-de-sac and then specialized equipment is brought in to remove the
snow. Most cul-de-sacs are serviced after priority and other roads have been plowed. This
process is time consuming and generally left until last to be fully cleared. The Municipality
understands the frustration that can occur for affected residents. We continually review our
process in an effort to reduce delays that occur in clearing snow in cul-de-sacs.
#### **Town of Penetanguishene**
10 Robert Street West,
Penetanguishene, ON
L9M 2G2
T: 705-549-7453
F: 705-549-3743
### Melissa Reid
Public Works Administrative Assistant
* 705-549-7992 or 705-549-7453 ext. 110
* [email protected]
### Tyler Haourt
Roads Supervisor
* 705-549-7992
* [email protected]