Meteorologists are forecasting a harsher winter for Mississauga this year. As temperatures continue to drop, the City is preparing for its winter maintenance program.
Winter crews are ready to clear the way to make travelling routes safe and accessible throughout Mississauga. City crews plow and salt more than 5,700 lane km of priority roads, 1,700 lane km of sidewalks, 3,300 bus stops, more than 1,000 pedestrian crossings and 105 km of roadside multi-use trails.
“Regardless of the time of year, we’re committed to ensuring residents can get around Mississauga easily and efficiently, whether they drive, take transit, walk, cycle or use other forms of active transportation and mobility devices,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Our winter crews are ready to respond 24/7 to keep our city moving. As snow begins to fall, please be patient, plan ahead and give yourself extra time as you travel to your destination. And please be alert of others on the road including snow plows.”
The City is responsible for clearing snow and ice on City-owned infrastructure (e.g., roads, priority sidewalks) which can take between 12 to 36 hours after the snow stops depending on how much snow has fallen. The Region of Peel clears most regional roads (e.g., Airport Road, Dixie Road) which are main roads that carry higher volume of traffic and higher speeds than local roads.
The City may announce a Significant Weather Event during severe winter storms to allow more time for winter crews to clear the snow.
“The amount of time it takes to treat and clear roads and sidewalks depends on the amount of snow that’s fallen,” said Mickey Frost, Director, Works Operations and Maintenance. “Every winter, we make it a priority to keep Mississauga safe and accessible for residents and those who travel in and out of the city every day. The City has also invested in new equipment, including an expanded anti-icing program using more brine (concentration of salt and water) for more effective salt management. We understand the importance of the environment in today’s climate and into the future, which is why we continue to look at our salt management practices and equipment to control how much salt we use.”
This year marks the first year of the City’s approved new eight-year winter maintenance contract. New snow clearing equipment will allow the City to clear the roads more efficiently across the city, as snowplows will have the ability to salt and plow at the same time if necessary. In addition, an expanded anti-icing program will see the City use more brine equipment to help limit the use of road salt. Brine is the mix of water saturated with salt and is used to pre-treat some roads ahead of a snowfall, making it harder for ice to form and roads easier to plow.
Residents are encouraged to make snow clearing more efficient by:
- Removing parked vehicles on residential streets – When it snows, parked vehicles limit or block snowplows from clearing and passing through which can affect emergency vehicles and your commute.
- Clearing your walkway and sidewalk – clear your walkway and sidewalk to allow others to travel safely in your neighbourhood – help a neighbour clear theirs as well.
- Reporting excess salt use at bus stops – If you see oversalting at one of our MiWay bus stops, you can report it using the Pingstreet app.
Stay up-to-date on snow clearing in Mississauga:
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- Visit mississauga.ca/snow to learn more about snow clearing in the city
- Follow @MississaugaSnow on Twitter for snow clearing updates
- Call 311 (905-615-4311 if outside city limits) to find out if winter on-street parking restrictions are in effect or to report a missed street clearing after the level of service timelines have ended
- Follow @PeelPublicWorks for snow clearing updates on Regional roads
BACKGROUND
We can all do our part to keep our community safe when winter weather hits. You can help by taking actions to ensure safety and minimize the impact on the environment.
- Be patient and give yourself extra time on your commute
- Give snow plows lots of space and drive according to weather and road conditions
- Brush and clear snow and ice off your vehicle, including all windows, headlights, roof and hood
- Do not approach snow clearing equipment at any time to avoid injury
- Consider wearing appropriate footwear to avoid slips and falls
- Consider installing winter tires for better traction
- Ensure pets are brought indoors during extreme weather conditions
- Use salt wisely to minimize the impact on the environment by following manufacturer’s instructions