City of Windsor Snow Removal Refresher
Winter weather has returned and the City of Windsor Public Works department is ready to deal with it.
As is the case each year, City staff monitor weather forecasts and begin salting, when required, in advance of precipitation to help ensure roads remain as safe as possible. Plowing starts once the snowfall accumulation reaches five centimetres and an average route takes from three to six hours to complete once the snow has stopped falling, depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.
Once the main roads are clear, and only if more than 10 centimetres of snow has fallen, will trucks move into residential areas.
Motorists are asked to be patient when travelling behind a plow and give operators plenty of room. Plows typically operate at 40 kilometres per hour. Following too close to a snowplow can lead to poor visibility, and vehicles risk being hit by thrown snow, salt or rocks.
Residents and property owners are reminded that clearing of sidewalks abutting their property is their responsibility.
As well, under the Highway Traffic Act and City of Windsor by-laws, residents are prohibited from shovelling snow back onto the street while clearing sidewalks and driveways, as this creates unsafe road conditions for motorists.
All sidewalks in commercial areas are to be cleared within four hours after the snowfall ends and within twelve hours in residential areas.
These are just a few of the important winter reminders from Public Works. To learn more about Windsor’s snow removal operations, visit online or call 311.
Calling All Volunteer Angels
Now that we’ve seen our first dustings of snowfall, the City of Windsor is once again asking the community to consider volunteering for our Snow Angels snow removal program.
Each year, the Snow Angels program matches volunteer snow shovellers from the community with seniors and persons with physical disabilities living in Windsor. Snow build-up is a potential hazard to those with limited mobility, and it also makes it difficult for service providers like police and fire, mail carriers, and meter readers to do their jobs safely and efficiently.
Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. For high school students, this is an awesome way to round out their 40-hour Community Involvement requirement.
As an added incentive again this year, all registered volunteers will be entered into a draw to win a tablet or one of two $50 Rec Express Cards.
Please call 311 for more information or to register. Information is also available online.
