Snow Removal and Winter Control

Winter Operations Plan:

The Winter Operations Plan describes the Minimum Maintenance Standards and related legislation that govern winter operations.

This Plan describes the guidelines and procedures for winter maintenance of Town of Fort Erie roads, alleyways, sidewalks and parking lots. In addition, proactive measures such as Winter Patrols and Snow Fence erection are also detailed.

The Winter Operations Plan

Fort Erie SNOW HOW:

View our SNOW HOW brochure for information about your role in Winter Operations.

Road Classification and Minimum Maintenance Standards

Town of Fort Erie Road Classification Map

Town of Fort Erie Minimum Maintenance Standards for Sanding, Salting and Plowing Roads and Sidewalks

Roads	Class 3	Class 4	Class 5	Class 6	Alleyways and Parking Lots
Time to complete sanding or salting once becoming aware of icy conditions.	8 hours	12 hours	16 hours	24 hours	36 hours
Depth of snow accumulation before plowing begins.	8 cm	8 cm	10 cm	10 cm	12 cm
Time to complete plowing once the storm has ended.	12 hours	16 hours	24 hours	24 hours	24 hours

Class 6 Roads, Alleyways and Parking Lots are not subject to provincial minimum maintenance standards with regards to ice formation or snow accumulation.

SIDEWALKS
Time to complete sanding once becoming aware of icy conditions	48 hours
Depth of snow accumulation before plowing begins	8 cm
Time to complete plowing once the storm has ended	48 hours

Notes:

The Town does not have Class 1 or 2 roads.
Class 6 Roads will be treated as Class 5 roads when possible.
Standards are based on Ontario Regulation 239/02 Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways

Snow Removal:

Property Owners - To keep the streets and sidewalks cleared and passable in winter months following snowplowing and sanding operations, residents are advised that a new by-law prohibits depositing snow or ice on Town maintained streets and sidewalks.

Specifically, By-law No. 2009-017 provides that;

3.1 "No person shall obstruct or permit to be obstructed a sidewalk by depositing snow or ice on the sidewalk."
3.2 "No person shall deposit or permit to be deposited snow or ice on a highway that will cause interference with vehicular traffic."

The Town will exercise enforcement of By-law No. 2009-017. An Order will be issued to have any snow deposits found to be obstructing or interfering with safe passage on a street or sidewalk removed within twelve (12) hours unless imminent danger exists. If this Order is not complied with, the Town may clear the deposited snow at the Owner's expense. The Town will add the cost for this removal to the Owner's tax roll, subject to tax collection procedures.

Property owners should tell any contractors and others responsible for clearing snow from their property of this By-law.

Shoveling, snow blowing or plowing snow or ice onto sidewalks, boulevards or Town streets is prohibited. It could be subject to a financial penalty.

Winter Parking Restrictions:

Residents are reminded that no overnight winter parking is permitted in the Town of Fort Erie between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1 through March 31 of the following year. The Town's By-law Enforcement Officers will enforce Traffic By-law No. 84-2014. The fine for this offence is currently $40.00; your vehicle may be towed at your expense.

Contact Infrastructure Services, Operations at (905) 871-1600, Ext. 2466 with questions.