City Prepared for Winter Maintenance Season

Environment Canada has issued a weather advisory for the area. Snow, heavy at times, is expected today through tonight with total snowfall amounts near 10 to 15 cm.

Weather conditions are closely monitored by municipal staff around-the-clock, seven days a week, using a customized weather service, Ontario Ministry of Transportation highway reports and data generated from local remote weather stations.

Staff regularly patrol municipal roads throughout the city to assess the need for plowing, sanding and salting. A chart outlining when crews are deployed, along with other information on winter operations, can be found at www.greatersudbury.ca/winter.

Please drive according to weather and road conditions. Exercise caution around operating plows and give them space to clear the roads.

The City will issue advisories as winter weather and snow events happen. Updates and information are posted via social media on X (formerly Twitter) greatersudbury) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/greatersudbury).

New Law Around Passing Snowplows Now in Effect in Ontario
A recent amendment to the Highway Traffic Act prohibits the improper passing of snowplows when they are working side-by-side on a multi-lane road or highway with a posted speed limit of 80 km/h or more.

Motorists may pass only if a full lane is available to complete the manoeuvre safely. In order for a lane to be considered available, no part of a snowplow, including an attachment or blade, should overlap. A conviction would result in a fine between $150 to $1,000.

Converting salt routes to sand

This winter, the City will convert 73 lane kilometres of roads from salt to sand routes. The estimated annual average reduction in salt use on these roads is approximately 1,600 metric tons. Reduction in salt use is a priority in protecting our environment and drinking water. For a list of affected roads, visit our website at www.greatersudbury.ca/2023sand.

Sidewalk Winter Maintenance – Pilot Project
The City of Greater Sudbury has added three additional municipal tractor operators to its complement of 21 in a pilot project created to enhance winter sidewalk service levels.  Similar to how the downtown sidewalks are maintained each business day regardless of weather conditions, the additional sidewalk plow operators will maintain sidewalks within their respective maintenance sections on a rotational basis during business days. This service will be delivered on a continuous basis over and above what the existing sidewalk maintenance staff provide. To learn more about the pilot project you can review the full report by visiting our website: https://pub-greatersudbury.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=50956

Winter Parking
The Overnight Parking By-law will be in effect from December 1 until March 31. During this time, parking is not permitted on any roadway, highway, laneway or side street within the city, between midnight and 7 a.m.

The overnight parking restriction is in place to permit effective and efficient snow removal on local roadways.

Residents are also reminded to remove portable basketball nets from the road and off the shoulder during the winter months to allow snowplows and salt/sand trucks a clear path. Hockey nets should be stored away from the roadway when not in use.

-30-