City sharing update regarding new sidewalk snow clearing service levels for the 2022/2023 season

HAMILTON, ON – With snowfall in the forecast, the City of Hamilton is providing residents with a summary of the City’s sidewalk snow clearing service level enhancements for the 2022/2023 season as well as tips for residents to prepare for significant snowfall in the coming months.

Sidewalk Snow Clearing Service Level enhancements

In 2021, Council approved a level of service enhancement for sidewalk snow clearing to include maintenance along sidewalks that are located along Priority 1 and Priority 2A roadways where transit operates. The implementation of this service enhancement will take effect this winter season, adding 469 kilometres of additional sidewalk to the City’s clearing route, bringing the total amount of sidewalks cleared by the City to 866 kilometres.

An overview of the City’s sidewalk snow clearing route with the new enhancement includes:

• All sidewalks adjacent to municipally owned property
• Private lots which do not face the road (reverse frontage lots)
• Ancaster
• Sidewalks adjacent to school property, owned by the Public School Boards, in conjunction with City of Hamilton By-law No. 03-296 on a charge-back basis
• All Priority 1 roadways, which include major arterial roads and escarpment accesses. King Street and Main Street are considered examples of Priority 1 roadways.
• Priority 2A roadways where transit operates. Priority 2A roadways are considered primary collector roads. Whitney Avenue and Stinson Street are considered examples of Priority 2A roadways.

The clearing of routes are activated when the forecast calls for snow or ice accumulation and will be cleared within 24 hours after the end of a snow event or 24 hours after the end of a declared Significant Weather Event.

Owners and/or occupants whose properties do not fall along a City clearing route are responsible for clearing the sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours following the end of a snow event or 24 hours after the end of a declared Significant Weather Event. Businesses or residents renting property should connect with their landlord to determine whether they or the landlord are accountable for clearing the sidewalk adjacent to the property if it is not located along a City clearing route.

Residents are encouraged to review the City’s sidewalk snow clearing routes via the interactive map at www.hamilton.ca/sidewalksnowclearing. Additionally, the City has launched a new Sidewalk Snow Clearing Plow Tracker so that residents can see where plows have been in the last 24 hours, which can be found via the same webpage.

Snow Clearing Tips for residents

• Never clear snow from your property onto the street or sidewalk. Property owners must ensure the snow they clear is piled on their own property.
• If your property is along a City sidewalk snow clearing route, remove planters, lawn decorations and any other portable objects near the sidewalk.
• Where possible, avoid parking on the street before, during and immediately following a snowstorm. When parked in a driveway, make sure your vehicle isn't hanging over into the sidewalk or street.
• City of Hamilton road crews are responsible for clearing 866 kilometres of sidewalks and may take up to 24 hours following the end of a snow event to reach each sidewalk. If a neighbour, friend or family member requires assistance clearing their snow and needs to travel before City crews can reach their sidewalk, consider lending a hand.
• Consider placing reflective driveway markers at the end of your driveway to improve visibility for sidewalk snowplows.
• Mark any permanent structures or objects with a reflector that will be visible above the snow. This helps crews identify obstacles.
• If you rent a property, connect with your landlord to determine whether you or the landlord will be accountable for clearing the sidewalk adjacent to your property.
• Large snow squalls, high winds and heavy amounts of snow present complications and operational challenges for our staff in comparison to the average snowfall. The City of Hamilton may declare a Significant Weather Event when the weather forecast or weather conditions meet a certain threshold. This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives. All roadways and/or sidewalks are deemed in a state of repair with respect to snow accumulation and/or ice conditions, until the municipality declares the Significant Weather Event has ended.
• Announcements regarding the declaration of a Significant Weather Event will be shared via the City’s corporate Twitter channel (@cityofhamilton) and Instagram channel (@cityofhamilton).

Quick Facts

• With each upcoming winter weather event, City of Hamilton road crews are responsible for clearing approximately 6,518 lane kilometres of roadway, 866 kilometres of sidewalks, 244 kilometres of on-street bike lanes and 2,365 bus stops across Hamilton.
• Access to transportation services (transit, cycling, pedestrian mobility) enriches lives and supports the health of our community. The enhanced level of sidewalk snow clearing service was implemented using an equity, diversity and inclusion lens and incorporates access along all HSR transit routes and major arterial roads such as Main Street and King Street.
• While developing a sidewalk snow removal strategy that encompassed every sidewalk location across the City had a number of operational, financial and environmental implications, the City’s Council approved addition of 469 kilometres of sidewalk clearing provides residents with flexible transit options city-wide during winter snowstorms.