CITY OF PORT COLBORNE
PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION
WINTER CONTROL OPERATIONS STANDARD
Winter Control Service
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Page
1.0
- Classification of Roads
1
2.0
– Operational Goal
1
3.0
– Definitions
1
4.0
- Municipal Roadways
1
5.0
- Priority Roads
2
6.0
- Secondary Roads
2
7.0
- Snow Plowing Operations
2
8.0
- Sanding Operations
3
9.0
- Sidewalks
4
10.0
- Priority List
5
1.0 - Classification of Roads
The City of Port Colborne maintains all roads based on a priority system. Roads are
classified into Primary Roads, Secondary Roads, and Laneways.
The City=s main objective during a storm is to keep the Primary Roads clear for
emergency services and to maintain safe, passable school bus routes. Only after these
roads are deemed to be clear, are plowing and sanding operations commenced on
Secondary Roads. Laneways are cleared when Primary and Secondary Roads are
completed.
2.0 – Operational Goal
It is the goal of the Public Works Division to plow all Priority and Secondary Roads in
less than twenty four (24) hours from the end of a snowfall.
3.0 – Definitions
3.1 - What is a Primary Road?
For the purposes of winter control, a Primary Road is an arterial road upon which a
higher volume of traffic travels on and provides access to most residential secondary
roads.
3.2 - What is a Secondary Road?
A Secondary Road is any other road not designated as a Primary Road and not a
Laneway. These roads carry a low volume of traffic in both urban and rural areas of the
City.
3.3 - What is a Laneway?
A Laneway is a designated municipal rear access laneway.
4.0 - Municipal Roadways
The City of Port Colborne has 279 km of roadway (110km urban, 169km rural) or 520
lane km.
For the purposes of snow plowing, the municipality is divided into eight (8)
plowing routes with a snow clearing vehicle assigned to each route.
Total lane km in each route varies from 33km to 97km.
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5.0 - Priority Roads
Goal Conditions - Center Bare Pavement
Surfaces will be maintained to a center bare condition ( center six to eight feet) where
possible through the effective use of all staff, equipment and materials suited to the
conditions
The maximum allowable snow accumulation is approximately 7.5 cm
As long as conditions persist, Priority Roads will be plowed every four (4) hours, based
on average snowfalls.
6.0 - Secondary Roads
Goal Conditions - Snow Packed Surface
The maximum allowable fresh snow accumulation is 15 cm.
As long as conditions persist, Secondary Roads will be plowed every six (6) hours,
based on average snowfalls.
Surfaces shall be maintained in a snow packed conditions.
7.0 - Snow Plowing Operations
7.1 - Objectives
- To reduce the hazards of snow and ice accumulation.
- To maintain safe, passable school routes.
- To facilitate the provision of emergency services.
- To ensure cost effective winter control snow plowing operations.
7.2 - Procedure
The supervisor will determine the proper action to be taken based on the level of
service to be provided and projected weather conditions. Weather forecasts,
temperature and road conditions for each stage of the storm will be considered.
Predetermined routes for plowing shall be followed except in critical situations.
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Initially, it may be necessary to sand or salt intersections, railway crossings and
dangerous curves and designated Priority Roads during icy conditions.
As accumulation on Priority Roads increases and exceeds 7.5 cm, plowing of these
roads will commence.
Accumulations of more than 12cm will activate a full plowing operation with municipal
and contractor=s equipment being assigned to their designated areas.
Plowing of the Priority Roads will continue with the established goal of center bare
pavement. Secondary Roads will be maintained snow packed.
Open areas will be monitored for drifting and frequency of plowing and adjusted as
necessary.
8.0 - Sanding Operations
8.1 - Objectives
- To reduce the hazards of snow and ice accumulation.
- To maintain safe, passable school routes.
- To facilitate the provision of emergency services.
- To ensure cost effective winter control sanding operations.
8.2 - Material
A standard ten percent ( 10% ) salt / sand mixture will be maintained for general
application. Where weather and road conditions indicate an advantage for packed
snow and ice removal, a higher salt content ( sweeter/richer mix) may be used on the
direction of the Superintendent/Supervisor or designate.
8.3 - Procedure
The supervisor will determine the proper action to be taken based on the level of service
to be provided and projected weather conditions. Weather forecasts, temperature and
road conditions for each stage of the storm will be considered.
For spreading sand the spinner should only be turning fast enough for the sand to be
spread in a 2 to 2 2 meter path down the center of the road or lane as required.
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Additional salt must not be added to the standard mixture unless instructed by the
Supervisor.
Icy and dangerous areas such as curves, steep grades, intersections, school areas,
business areas will be sanded during icy conditions.
Priority Roads may be sanded and/or salted during the early stages of a storm to create
a layer of brine to assist in snow removal afterwards.
8.4 - General
Complete sanding of all streets and roads shall be carried out only to address extremely
slippery conditions, freezing rain or general icy conditions not controllable by other
means
Public Works will respond to requests from the Niagara Regional Police Services to
sand or salt road sections which they have identified as a hazard.
Predetermined routes for sanding shall be followed except in critical situations.
During continuing storms, priority for service will continue to be based on higher class of
road receiving service before any lower class of road or laneway.
It is acknowledged that in the event of mechanical breakdowns, accidents or other
operational problems, objectives set forth may not be met.
9.0 - Sidewalks
Sidewalks abutting City owned property will be the responsibility of the City and will be
cleared after the roads are cleared. in priority sequence Sidewalks abutting private
property will be the sole responsibility of the property owner abutting the sidewalk(s).
Removal of snow from sidewalks is required within 24 hrs of the cessation of the storm.
If snow has not been removed within the 24 hrs the City of Port Colborne may remove
at the property owners expense. The by-law department is responsible for monitoring
the condition of sidewalks during the winter. Their objective is to ensure that sidewalks
are kept clear and free of snow and ice so that residents can travel safely. Clear
sidewalks are for the benefit of anyone and everyone in our community. Port Colborne
residents have 24 hours after a storm ends to clear their walk of snow and ice. It is
also the responsibility of residents to ensure that their sidewalks remain clear between
storms. Sidewalks should be cleared down to bare pavement and to their full width.
Sidewalks between snowfalls are to remain clear of snow and ice, which may
accumulate because of drifting, freeze/thaw cycles, etc.
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Staff will inspect properties on a complaint basis and will leave a notice letting the
resident know a complaint has been received. The notice will also inform them that they
have 24 hours to clear the snow and/or ice. If the sidewalk has not been
satisfactorily cleared by the time the property has been reinspected, City crews
may clear the sidewalk and the property owner will be invoiced accordingly.
Failure to receive a Notice or telephone contact from City staff does not exempt the
resident of their responsibilities to clear the sidewalk.
10.0 – Priority Sequence
The priority sequence for operations will be in the following order:
1. Priority Roads
2. Secondary Roads
3. Laneways
4. Municipal Parking Lots
5. Sidewalks abutting municipal property
Revised October 2009
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