Wintertime Roadway & Sidewalk Maintenance
Roadway Snow Clearing Standards
Roads are plowed based on priority. Main roads (also known as Arterial roads) and escarpment crossings are given the highest priority, followed by collector roads, and then neighbourhood streets (also known as local roads).
These categories are further broken down into classes to reflect the surface condition targeted by plow operators.
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Target Surface Condition: Bare (No Snow Accumulation)
Target Completion Time: 4 hoursArterial roads have the heaviest traffic volumes, and the highest speeds. They function primarily for movement. These roads are designated as transit and truck routes and provide access to high density developments and employment areas.
In Ward 10, some examples of Arterial Roads are the Service Roads on either side of the QEW, and Highway 8.
All Escarpment Accesses also fall under this level of classification. -
Target Surface Condition: Bare (No Snow Accumulation)
Target Completion Time: 8 hoursCollector roads are intermediate roads that connect local traffic to arterial roads and have moderate volumes. They also have moderate speeds, transit routes, and provide access to medium density developments.
In Ward 10, some examples of Collector Roads are Fruitland Road, Fifty Road & Winona Road.
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Target Surface Condition: Centre bare (No snow accumulation in the centre of the roadway, slight snow accumulation towards the edges)
Target Completion Time: 8 hours -
Target Surface Condition: Centre bare to snow packed (A thin layer of packed snow is permissible on the roadway where centre bare is unachievable)
Target Completion Time: 24 hours -
Target Surface Condition: Bare
Target Completion Time: 24 hours
Winter Class Priorities
*Target Completion Time: clock starts after the completion of the winter event which includes but is not limited to: stopped snowing, no drifting, blowing snow, freezing rain.
The Provincial highways that run through the city of Hamilton are maintained by the Ministry of Transportation.
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Roads are plowed based on priority. The first priority is main routes and escarpment crossings. The second priority is collector roads and the third priority is neighbourhood streets.
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The city clears sidewalks along all HSR bus routes on priority routes.
If a bus stop is not on a priority route, then chances are it falls under the purview of property owners.
Bus stops must have:
Concrete/asphalt pads for a stable, non-slippery surface.
A minimum 1.5m wide, paved pathway connecting the pad to the sidewalk/shelter.
At least 2.1m vertical clearance over passenger areas.
Timelines: Sidewalks on these routes are cleared within 24 hours after a snow event ends, under City By-law No. 03-296.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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Certain decisions regarding the exact manor in which a residential street is cleared are up to the driver. This is due to the rapidly changing nature of Residential Streets (i.e people moving their parked vehicles throughout the day, waste placed at the street on waste collection days).
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the position, the City of Hamilton is unable to guarantee which driver will be on what route at any given time. This means that direct feedback cannot be given to specific drivers. -
A windrow is the term given to the drift of snow left behind by snowplows as they pass. They are a natural result of routine winter maintenance, and removal is not an approved level of service in the City of Hamilton.
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If you, or someone you know, is:
a resident of Stoney Creek, Fruitland or Winona
a senior or disabled person
unable to clear their own property of snow
You can contact Stoney Creek Seniors Outreach Services for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
More information on:
Find out where the plows are:
Wintertime Sidewalk Maintenance
The City of Hamilton is committed to maintaining accessible sidewalks during the winter months through its snow clearing services.
Snow clearing operations are activated when accumulation reaches 5 cm or greater and include snow and ice removal with de-icing materials applied as needed.
Residents are asked to be patient during winter events. Snow crews will be working continuously and as diligently as possible to clear the snow and make roads as safe as possible for residents.
The City clears sidewalks adjacent to:
Municipally owned property
Private lots that do not face the road (reverse frontage lots)
Sidewalks in Ancaster
Sidewalks adjacent to school properties owned by the Public School Boards, under By-law No. 03-296, on a charge-back basis
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Pursuant to Bylaw No. 03-296, property owners and/or occupants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk within 24 hours after the end of a snow event. If residents’ properties fall along the City’s sidewalk snow clearing route, the City is responsible.
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Snow clearing on sidewalks adjacent to private property is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that snow and ice are clear from the sidewalk within 24 hours after the end of a snow event. If the property falls along the City’s sidewalk snow clearing route, the City is responsible.
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Residents and businesses are reminded that they are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their property, including adjacent street corners, within 24 hours after the end of a snow event.
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The City will activate crews and equipment to meet the required level of service for both roads and sidewalks. Roads are maintained based on priority, with the first priority being the main routes and escarpment crossings. The second priority is collector roads and the third priority is neighbourhood streets. Sidewalk clearing will be activated along Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes as per the service level enhancement and in order to meet the City’s Snow and Ice By-Law No. 03-296.
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The City will activate sidewalk snow clearing crews in order to meet the approved level of service. Equipment will start on its predetermined route and clear all sidewalks on its route. For the safety of residents in your area please remember to clear your sidewalks as soon as possible after a snowfall.
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The sidewalks the City is responsible for will be addressed 24 hours after the end of a snow event.
Frequently Asked Questions
By-law Complaint for Snow
If a property owner or occupant doesn't clear their snow or ice of sidewalk within 24 hours after the end of the snow event, you can call (905) 546-2489 to file a complaint, or complete an online complaint request form: