Winter Control Operations

Why are some roads plowed first?

Roads are organized into a priority system based off of the Province's Minimum Maintenance Standards and the Winter Control Policy. By having different priorities, it allows crews to focus on emergency routes and high traffic areas. Learn about road priorities.

How long does it take to plow the streets?

The City's goal is to plow all 400km of road within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling. During periods of heavy snowfall, plowing operations can take longer. In the event of a major snow fall staff resources will focus on keeping the main arterials open.

I live on a cul-de-sac (dead-end) street. Why does my street always seem to be only partially plowed?

The City currently has many cul-de-sac/dead-end streets in its road network. Due to the small turning radius afforded by most cul-de-sacs, the large plow trucks cannot plow the circular part of the street properly. Snow that is piled up in the centre of cul-de-sacs will be removed when it becomes hazardous to drivers and/or the public in general.

Will the snow removal process remove all the snow from the road?

Normal snow removal equipment will blade the snow to a level snowpack may not clear residential roads to bare pavement. The objective of the snow removal process is to make the roads drivable and reduce the amount of surface flooding during the spring melt. The Winter Control Policy requires crews to reduce snow on roads as per their classification.

When do the sidewalks get cleared?

The City will address priority sidewalks near schools, hospitals, and transit routes first. If the snow is deeper than 8cm, the City will deploy resources. When there is zero snow falling, the City will reduce the snow accumulation on sidewalks to be less or equal to 8cm within 48 hours of the last snow fall. Heavy snowfalls or successive storm events can sometimes extend these periods.

Who clears sidewalks in the downtown area?

Sidewalks in the Business Improvement Area are to be cleared by the merchants. 

Can the City clear snow from the end of my driveway?

A snow windrow is the pile of snow left at the bottom of a driveway after a snowplow or sidewalk machine has cleared the road or sidewalk in front of the property. Corner lots will always get more snow at the end of the driveway, as the snow piles up on the plow blade during the turn and unavoidably falls in the first driveway.

The City does not clear windrows. Windrows can be frustrating for residents living in snowy areas like Orillia, though to effectively plow the road windrows cannot be avoided. The City does not have resources to support residents in removing snow that has fallen onto their property.

It is important to note that our plow operators do not block driveways on purpose. For snow removal to be safe and efficient, windrows and snow build up is unavoidable. 

Why do some properties seem to get a larger windrow?

Some properties may get more snow than others. Corner lots may receive more snow due to proximity to intersections, as when a snowplow turns to the right it sweeps a much larger area of the road than when it is travelling in a straight line. The plow moves snow from the centre of the road to the side of the road - the operator cannot change this. 

Why do cul-de-sac (dead-end) streets only get partially plowed?

The City currently has many cul-de-sac/dead-end streets in its road network. Due to the small turning radius afforded by most cul-de-sacs, the large plow trucks cannot plow the circular part of the street properly. Snow that is piled up in the centre of cul-de-sacs will be removed when it becomes hazardous to drivers and/or the public in general.

Do snowbanks get removed?

Snowbanks are lowered as time allows by priority, starting in the BIA and along major and arterial roads (class 2), then at crosswalks and major intersections, followed by secondary and local roads (Class 3, 4 and 5).

Does the City clear fire hydrants? 

City staff work to clear the 960 hydrants across Orillia. Though residents are allowed to clear hydrants near their homes, an accessible hydrant saves precious time for firefighters during an emergency.Here’s how you can help:

• Clear at least 1 meter around the hydrant

• Create a clear path to the street or sidewalk

The City extends a heartfelt thank you to the residents who clear hydrants in their neighborhoods. 

• The plow operator may have difficulty finding the sidewalk or the edge of the road under a blanket of snow.
• The ground is not frozen.

Once a path is cleared, subsequent trips by the plow are made easier. If the sod was damaged during the first part of the season, then the damage may not be discovered until the snow melts. We have found that generally homeowners will repair the damage in front of their property before the City crews arrive. This is a tremendous help because City staff typically don't repair sod damage until after spring sweeping operations are completed in late May - severe damage being the exception. Special sod repair concerns should be directed to the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department at 705-326-4585.

The recommended minimum mailbox location measurements are as follows:

• 1.75 metres (5 feet 9 inches) from edge of pavement to front of mailbox
• 1.05 metres (3 feet 3 inches) from ground to bottom of mailbox.

The ideal mailbox installation is a mailbox suspended by chains (to the above measurements or greater) from a well braced, cantilever arm and post assembly.

To report a damaged mailbox, please contact the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department at 705-326-4585. An inspection, assessment and recommendation will be made by staff. Mailboxes replaced by the City will be a basic mailbox, not necessarily the same as the original mailbox. Damaged posts will be replaced by temporary posts with permanent repairs undertaken in the spring once the frost is out of the ground.