Snow and Ice Control
Learn about winter maintenance
Winter roadway maintenance
On average, Tillsonburg receives about 130 cm (4 feet) of snow each winter. A major snowfall event can produce an accumulation of 20 to 40 cm (8-16 inches) of snow.
When winter storms occur, Town staff work to keep roadways safe for motorists and accessible to emergency response vehicles.
- The level of maintenance performed depends on each road's role in the total transportation network.
- The Town follows guidelines set forth in the Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) for Municipal Highways, O. Reg. 239/02. A summary is provided below.
- For unusual or severe conditions, or when equipment breakdowns occur, lower priority roadways may be delayed in an attempt to maintain higher priority roadways at the service levels describe above for both snow accumulation and ice control.
The objective is essentially bare pavement, to be reached as soon as possible, after a storm has ended, and normally within six hours.
The objective is to treat the icy roadways as soon as practicable after becoming aware that the road is icy, and normally within four hours.
The objective is essentially center bare pavement, to be reached as soon as possible, after a storm has ended, and normally within 16 hours.
The objective is to treat the icy roadway as soon as practicable after becoming aware that the road is icy, and normally within 12 hours.
The objective is to make the road as safe as possible, to be reached as soon as possible, after a storm has ended, and normally within twenty-four hours.
The objective is to treat the icy roadway as soon as practicable after becoming aware that the road is icy, and normally within 16 hours.
Primary Sidewalks
Areas with a high volume of pedestrian traffic located along arterial or collector roadways that directly serve an institution such as a school or hospital, retirement home, crossing guard location, sidewalks on a bridge or steep hill or special event area.
After snow accumulation has ended, sidewalk clearing begins when there is at least 5.0 cm of snow accumulation. The objective is to make the sidewalk as safe as possible, normally within 24 hours.
After the Public Works Road Supervisor or designate becomes aware of the icy condition, the objective is to make the sidewalk as safe as possible, normally within 24 hours.
After snow accumulation has ended, sidewalk clearing begins when there is at least 8.0 cm of snow accumulation. The objective is to make the sidewalk as safe as possible, normally within 48 hours.
After the Public Works Road Supervisor or designate becomes aware of the icy condition, the objective is to make the sidewalk as safe as possible, normally within 48 hours.
Downtown Area
Sidewalks in the Downtown are governed by Town By-law 2189, where merchants are required to clear the sidewalk fronting their businesses.
Winter Parking Restrictions
The Town's Traffic Bylaw prohibits overnight parking on all streets from November 15 - March 31, between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. This allows snowplow operators to safely and efficiently remove snow from local roadways.
Remember too, that according to the Highway Traffic Act and the Snow and Ice Removal Bylaw, residents may not deposit snow onto the roadway or sidewalk. When clearing snow, pile it on your property--not onto the sidewalk, road or across the road.
Snowplow Safety
- Assume the snowplow operator cannot see you and move to a location away from where the equipment is working
- Do not allow children to play on, build forts or tunnel in roadside snow banks
- Never approach a snowplow, even when it has stopped
- Keep a safe stopping distance between your vehicle and the snowplow
- Never cut off a snowplow or pass on the right
- Ensure that obstacles like hockey and basketball nets are stowed where they will not make effective snow removal more difficult, or result in damage to equipment.