Winter Road Maintenance – Minimum Maintenance Standards & Service Priorities

During significant snow or ice events, the Municipality of Greenstone delivers winter road maintenance in accordance with By-Law 24-21 – Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Roads Policy.

These provincially regulated standards define how and when municipal roads are serviced to ensure public safety. In addition, it is important to note that highway closures will effect response time to rural areas.

Minimum Maintenance Standards include:

1. Winter maintenance is carried out after a snow or ice event has ended
2. All municipal roads are targeted to be plowed within 24 hours following the end of a snow event, weather and conditions permitting
3. Sanding and/or salting is applied when icy conditions meet intervention thresholds
4. Snowbanks are removed when required to maintain visibility and roadway safety

Roads are serviced based on priority, focusing first on routes critical to safety and emergency access:

1. Emergency service routes, major arterial roads, and bus routes
2. Major collector roads and industrial areas
3. Local residential streets
4. Back laneways

Windrow removal services will commence once roads have been cleared.

During prolonged or severe weather events, service timelines may be extended as crews focus on maintaining priority routes.

Public Works staff have been, and continue to, work diligently throughout this significant event to maintain safe travel conditions across the municipality. Their work often continues for extended hours under challenging weather conditions. Patience and understanding from residents is required and appreciated as crews complete maintenance in accordance with regulated standards.

Resident responsibilities:

1. Avoid on-street parking during snow events to allow full snow clearing
2. Do not place snow onto roadways (prohibited under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act)
3. Yield to snowplows and maintain safe distances at all times

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work together to keep roads safe during this current situation.