Snow Removal

Winter snow removal and plowing 

Minimum Maintenance Standards

It's our policy to meet the Province's Minimum Maintenance Standards for roadways and sidewalks. 

Our Public Works division is responsible for maintaining over 340 km of local roads, and 98 km of county roads including both hard and gravel topped roads. Ice control materials are used to prevent the formation of ice or to melt ice on roadways, parking lots, and other surfaces to improve safety during winter weather. The choice of material and method depends on factors such as the severity of the winter weather.

Standard for dealing with snow accumulation on roadways 

1. Once it is noticed that the snow on the road has exceeded the depth listed on the graphic below, resources are sent to clear the snow as quickly as possible.
2. After the snowfall stops, the snow will be cleared so that the accumulation is reduced to a depth less than or equal to the depth on the infographic, within the time frame specified.

Weekdays

• Snow removal crews on roads 24/7 as needed
• Primary plowing and snow removal between 4:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. as needed

Significant Weather Events

An Ontario municipality can declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard is approaching or occurring and has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways and sidewalks in which they have authority over.

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives until the municipality declares the significant weather event has ended.

A significant weather event can occur when present or forecast weather includes one or more of the following conditions:

• Significant snow accumulation during a 24-hour period
• Ice formation that occurs without warning from the weather forecast
• High winds leading to blowing snow and large snow drifts
• Freezing temperatures when de-icing operations will not be effective

In the event of a significant weather event, please check for official information from Loyalist Township on our website or on our social media channels.

For detailed information on the declaration of significant weather events, you can review the Ontario Regulation 239/02.