Markham Road Operations pilots new Pathway Winter Maintenance Program

MARKHAM, ON – November 2, 2020 – This winter, the City of Markham will launch a new City-wide Pathway Winter Maintenance Pilot Program where one pedestrian pathway in each of Markham’s eight wards will be cleared of snow, salted and sanded. For a list of pathways that are included in this program visit markham.ca/Winter. 

The pilot program is a result of the 2019 Winter Maintenance Council Review and is one of the ways the City is encouraging people in the community to stay active and explore Markham during winter. Residents can share their feedback on yourvoicemarkham.ca/Winter. The Operations team will present findings to Council for review and recommendation in 2021.

Markham is proud to deliver winter maintenance services that meet and in many areas exceed provincial legislative service standards. The Pathway Winter Maintenance Pilot Program will further improve the outdoor experience for residents.

“Winter is upon us and we’re ready to tackle the elements with our robust winter operations, while also providing new leisure offerings for the community to enjoy,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We recognize that families will be spending more time at home this winter due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so we are pleased to offer the Pathway Winter Maintenance program that will enable residents to venture out for some fresh air, while adhering to physical distancing. As always, we will continue to strive for service excellence to clear our roads and sidewalks of snow and limit the amount of salt used to ensure a sustainable future and to protect our planet.”

Everyone needs to be prepared and patient this winter while our crews work hard to maintain and clear a network of more than 2,100 km of road and more than 1,100 km of sidewalk to make our streets and neighbourhoods safe.

The City of Markham uses weather monitoring technology and science-based practices to monitor roads before, during, and after bad weather to adjust to conditions and to ensure public safety. There are 241 personnel on standby 24/7, 146 snow plows, 32 salt trucks and 53 sidewalk plows in our fleet.

When are roads plowed? How are roads plowed? 
Road plowing in residential areas start at the end of the snowfall when snow reaches 7.5 centimetres (the length of a bank card or 3 inches) deep, and is usually complete within 12 to 16 hours after the end of a snowfall. Sidewalk plowing begins when snow reaches 5 centimetres (the length of a house key or 2 inches) deep, and is completed within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall.

Snow clearing starts with the largest, busiest roads — known as arterial or primary roads — that connect critical services such as hospitals, ambulance, fire stations, police and GO stations when snow reaches 3 centimetres (the length of a paper clip or 1.2 inches). Once clear, these main roads allow plows to reach secondary roads that serve schools, libraries, community centres, industrial and commercial areas. Finally, the plows can reach local roads and lanes which are usually residential areas.

If you do not see plows immediately after a snowfall, please be patient and check the Winter Maintenance App at markham.ca/Winter to find out their status.

What should you expect after the plows have left? 
After plowing, it is normal for some snow to be left on the surface of roads and lanes especially on local roads. Busy moving traffic on busy arterial and secondary roads help melt the snow, creating a bare surface faster than residential roads with less traffic.

It is still safe to drive on snow-covered roads as long as drivers drive according to weather and road conditions. Slow down and give yourself extra time to arrive at your destination safely.

Brine, salt and sand are used to prevent roads from becoming icy. Remember, salt is only effective at temperatures of -12 degrees Celsius and above. The City’s Salt Management Plan promotes environmentally friendly salt use, storage and transportation.

What can you do to keep yourself and our community safe? 
You can help protect your property and keep everyone safe. Please:

• Clear snow away from fire hydrants and catch basins if you can do so safely.
• Pile snow from your driveway onto the right side (when facing the road) of your driveway. This will mean less snow piled on your driveway by the plow as it passes your home.
• Push snow away from the street. Pushing snow onto the street makes it unsafe for drivers and pedestrians in your neighbourhood - and it's illegal.
• Park on the odd numbered side of the street from November 15 to April 15. 
  If there is a snow storm or snowfall, you must remove your parked car from the road even if you have a permit. Plows are too big to squeeze past parked cars, delaying snow clearing for everyone.

Help for seniors and persons with a disability 
If everyone in your household is a senior (60 years of age or older) or a person with a disability (12 to 60 years of age), you can apply for Markham's Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program.

More information 
Visit markham.ca or follow us on Twitter or Facebook (@cityofmarkham) for updates.

This winter, remember to follow Operations on Twitter (@Markham_Ops).

Read the latest Winter Maintenance Newsletter and access the Winter Maintenance App at markham.ca/Winter.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office: 
Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177. 
 

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham: 
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450. 

 

For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham:

Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station. 

 

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 350,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy.

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