Road Snow Clearing and Removal  

The City of Pickering is divided into 8 urban routes (south of the Third Concession Road) and 3 rural routes, clearing each within a Priority Routing System. Priority Routes carry the higher volumes of traffic and are most easily identified as main roads (either classed as arterial or collectors). These are the roads people use to get to business areas, hospitals and in and out of the city. Bus routes are also considered in the first round of Winter Control Operations. The "local" roads are primarily residential and these are systematically plowed after the "priority" routes are completed. The winter maintenance fleet consists of 11 heavy trucks, 2 loaders, 2 graders, and several light trucks.

Level of Service
A general rule, depending on the severity of the storm

• Residents living in the south urban area can expect complete service (salting and plowing) within 12 to 18 hours.  If the snowfall is exceptionally heavy or is complicated by freezing rain or has required crews to work in peak traffic times the clearance time can be longer.
• Residents living in the north rural area can expect complete service (salting or sanding and plowing) within 24 hours.  If the snowfall is exceptionally heavy or is complicated by freezing rain or has required crews to work in peak traffic times the clearance time can be longer.
• Another factor affecting snow clearance turnaround is the Ministry of Labour regulation that prohibits drivers from driving more than 13 hours without a rest period. This requirement is strictly enforced.

The difference in level of services is due to the type of operation, the size of the routes, and the traveling distance involved.

General Order of Operations

• Salt Trucks are always sent out first (for paved roads only, once roads have become covered)
• Each salt route takes approximately 4 - 6 hours to complete
• A decision is made as to whether to plow (usually for 75mm / 3" of snowfall or more)
• Each snow plow route takes approximately 8 - 12 hours to complete
• The rural gravel roads are monitored and plowed if necessary
• If warranted the rural gravel roads are then sanded

Did you know? …

• It costs the municipality approximately $10,000 to provide winter control for one average snowfall.
• Gravel roads are sanded for traction. Applying salt would draw out the frost, weakening the road, and creating soft spots and pot holes.
• Salt is most effective when the road temperature ranges between 0^o to -10^oC.
• Salt plays no role in the formation of potholes on asphalt roads.

More Road Info:
City of Pickering, Road Closures / Construction Notices
City of Pickering, Winter Snow Control Maps
Region of Durham website, Regional Road Traffic Watch
Ministry of Transportation, Durham Region Traffic Report
Totten Sims Hubicki (TSH), Highway 407 East Completion Study