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# How we clear snow
Find out how we clear snow from roads, sidewalks, trails and bike lanes.
Our crews work around the clock to keep roads safe, but it takes time to reach every area, especially during large or repeated snowfalls.
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**On this page:**
1. Check the snow plow map
2. How we plow city roads
3. Check your street priority
4. How we clear sidewalks
5. How we clear trail and bike lanes
6. How we clear cul-de-sacs
7. How we use salt
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## Check the snow plow map
Use our snow plow map during a snow event to check road clearing progress.
The map is only available when a snow event has been declared and stays live for 24 hours after it ends.
Check the snow plow map
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## How we plow city roads
Our crews clear roads in stages to keep the city moving safely during and after a snowfall:
* we start plowing when snowfall reaches levels set by Ontario's Municipal Act
* it takes **6 to 24 hours** to complete all plow routes after snow or ice stops
* if snow starts again, the 24-hour timer resets
* we share maintenance with Kitchener on border roads and clear regional roads (PDF) for the Region
Crews start with major routes used by emergency services and transit, then move to residential streets. During heavy or back-to-back storms, neighbourhood roads may stay snow-packed until main routes are clear again.
**Watch a short video that explains how we clear snow.**
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## Check your street priority
Use our street priority map to check when your street is scheduled to be plowed. You can also check progress during a snow event on the snow plow map.
Check snow removal service timing
### Snow removal timing
Snow removal service times after snow stops
| Road type | Service time after snow stops |
| --- | --- |
| Major arterial example: King Street | 6 hours after 5 cm of snow |
| Major collector / GRT bus route example: Regina Street | 12 hours after 8 cm of snow |
| Residential street example: Northlake Drive | 16 hours after 8 cm of snow |
| Minor residential / cul-de-sac example: Beckwith court | 24 hours after 10 cm snow |
Check the street priority map
Check your street using our street priority map.
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## How we clear sidewalks
We clear sidewalks in busy public areas and other locations that are not connected to homes or businesses. Sidewalk equipment moves slower than road plows, so clearing takes longer.
**Property owners are responsible for sidewalks beside their property. Learn more on our sidewalk clearing page.**
We follow Ontario's Municipal Act, and Minimum Maintenance Standards to keep city sidewalks safe:
* we clear city-maintained sidewalks within 48 hours after snow or ice ends
* snow must be reduced to 8 cm or less
* each cleared sidewalk must have a 1-metre-wide path
* areas with the most pedestrian traffic are cleared first
Check if a sidewalk is cleared by the city
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## How we clear trails and bike lanes
Our goal is to finish clearing within 48 hours after the snow stops:
* we start clearing commuter trails once there is 5 cm of snow
* after commuter routes, we clear other winter-maintained trail links and park pathways
* we clear on-road bike lanes following Ontario regulation 239/02
* service times for bike lanes may differ from the vehicle lanes on the same road
To report an uncleared trail or bike lane that should be maintained in winter, call 519-886-2310.
Check which trails are maintained in winter
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## How we clear cul-de-sacs
**Clearing times may differ from nearby streets.**
Large plows have difficulty angling their blades to reach into corners and into cul-de-sacs. We partner with contractors who use smaller or specialized equipment to clear these areas.
To help:
* avoid parking in corners or cul-de-sacs
* keep garbage and bins off the road
Crews may pile snow in the centre of a cul-de-sac or a radius corner to avoid costly removal.
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## How we use salt
Before a snow event, we apply liquid salt brine to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. This helps plows work more efficiently and reduces the amount of salt needed to keep roads safe.
Our salt management program helps protect the environment while keeping roads clear.
Find out how to be **smart about salt** on your property.