Winter Snow Clearing Operations in the City of Ottawa
Snow clearing in the City of Ottawa is a significant and complex operation, covering over 12,000 kilometres lanes of roadway across the city. Over the past few years, staff have been reviewing and improving the City’s Winter Maintenance Quality Standards, which directs how this work is done. I have been working with Roads management to review challenges specific to our Ward, sharing feedback I have been hearing from you – what is done well and what could be done better. As a result, we have seen a number of improvements in snow clearing around priority areas, such as schools, parks and other key destinations in our neighbourhoods. I will continue to work with the Roads Department to ensure that our area receives the best service possible.
How Clearing Works
Once the snow begins to fall, the City’s teams will begin clearing the major road connections, such as the Highway 174 and arterial roads. Based on the amount of snow that accumulates, staff will begin to work, using a road-priority system, with high-use, emergency and transit routes cleared first.
The following is a guide on snow clearing standards in our City:
- At the start of accumulation:
- Highway 174, the Transitway, major roads and arterials.
- After the last snowflake has fallen, these routes may take 2 to 4 hours to complete.
- 5 centimetres accumulation:
- Sidewalks in the downtown core and the winter cycling network
- After the last snowflake has fallen, these routes may take up to 4 hours to complete
- 5 centimetres accumulation:
- Secondary roads and minor collectors such as Wall Road, Dovercourt Avenue, Donald Street, Springbrook Drive, etc.
- After the last snowflake has fallen, these routes may take up to 6 hours to complete
- 5 centimetres accumulation:
- Residential sidewalks
- After the last snowflake has fallen, these routes may take 12 to 16 hours to complete
- 7 or more centimetres of accumulation
- Residential roads and lanes such as Billings Bridge, Waverley Street, Smith Road, etc.
- After the last snowflake has fallen, these routes may take 10 to 16 hours to complete.
