During snow and/or ice events, the Public Works Department applies a sand and salt mixture to city streets where needed, in accordance with the City’s Snow Removal Policy.
Priority is given to streets in the following order:
- Major arterial streets
- Collector streets
- Residential streets
The Public Works Department currently has seven trucks capable of snow plowing and sanding. These trucks are prepped by City staff well in advance — typically in November — for the upcoming season to ensure they are serviced and all equipment is in working order.
Some equipment, such as spreader boxes and snowplows, are detachable; therefore, these pieces of equipment remain detached so the trucks can be used for other work when the additional equipment is not needed.
The number of trucks and the equipment used during an event depends on the amount of accumulation. When minor accumulation is forecast, the trucks are equipped with sand boxes but not snow plows, as the plows can be dangerous to have on the truck if not needed, and only take about 10 minutes to attach if they are needed.
A minimum of two trucks are equipped and used during no or light accumulation. During major events, when significant accumulation is forecast, all seven trucks are utilized.
One staff member is on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. During snow and/or ice events, the on-call staff member will determine how much additional assistance will be needed based on the severity of the event and call out other staff accordingly. During major events, crews will work 12-hour shifts for as long as needed.
See full Snow and Ice Removal Policy.
File photo.