Plowing, sanding and gritting of sidewalks and residential roads is ongoing in response to this week's major snowfall and in anticipation of snow and ice pellets in the forecast for Friday.
Sidewalks
Even when the snow stops falling, sidewalks need to be cleared multiple times. This is because the more people use them, the more snow-covered they become. Let us know if we need to come back to your neighbourhood for Winter Sidewalk Maintenance.
Snow removal
City crews have been working around the clock removing snowbanks from streets, sidewalks, Highway 174, and the Transitway, and will continue doing so through the weekend and into next week. By the end of day Saturday, snow will have been removed from more than 440 kilometres of road citywide, and counting.
Snow removal operations are taking place on hundreds of streets, as well as Park ‘n Rides, in every corner of the City in the days following this week’s major snowfall. Here is a look at what’s planned in the coming days, weather permitting.
February 14, night
18 crews scheduled to remove 131.8 kilometres of snow from streets and sidewalks.
February 15, day
24 crews scheduled to remove 60.3 kilometres of snow from streets and sidewalks.
February 15, night
24 crews scheduled to remove 173.9 kilometres of snow from nearly 70 streets.
February 16, day
23 crews scheduled to remove 80.7 kilometres of snow from more than 100 streets
Potholes
If you see a pothole that needs to be filled on a City street please make a service request or call 3-1-1.
Potholes are a result of the freeze/thaw weather cycles that deteriorate our road surfaces. During the freeze/thaw, water seeps into the crevices of the road. Fluctuations in temperature, vibrations and traffic volumes all create stress on the asphalt road surface, which can result in potholes.
What to expect during and after a storm
When roads get plowed
Snow removal is based on a road-priority system, with high-use roads and emergency and transit routes cleared first.
Major roads, arterials and major collector roads: Plows are deployed at the start of accumulation.
After the last snowflake falls:
Major roads, arterials and major collectors: Within four hours
Roads will not be bare pavement during a storm.
Minor collector roads: Within six hours
Residential roads and lanes: Within 16 hours
Under extreme winter storm conditions (i.e. those that exceed normal conditions), snow and ice control operations will be carried out based on the capacity of resources in as continuous a manner as practicable. This will give crews the flexibility to provide relief in residential areas while simultaneously maintaining and clearing priority roads.
When sidewalks get cleared
After the last snowflake falls:
Sidewalks in the downtown core: Within 6 hours
Downtown residential sidewalks: Within 12 hours
Residential sidewalks: Within 16 hours
Intersections and pedestrian crossings: Within 16 hours
Bus stops: Within 24 hours after clean up
If your sidewalk has not been cleared 72 hours after the end of a snowfall, please call 3-1-1. The City does not clear snow from driveways or private sidewalks leading to a residence.
Clearing snow from your property
Do not push snow and ice on the street, sidewalk or park.
Keep fire hydrants free of snow.
Use wood, plastic or fibreglass driveway markers, which should be no larger than a hockey stick.
Open catch basins or drains in front of your property when the weather becomes mild.
Catch basins are identified by a yellow “T” bar painted on the roadway.
A snow windrow is a pile of snow that accumulates at the end of driveways and on the sides of streets during plowing. It is the responsibility of the home owner to remove their own driveway windrows.
Garbage and recycling collection
Place garbage containers and bags and recycling bins at the curb. Do not place them behind or on top of snow banks.
Garbage and recycling collection
Overnight parking ban
Between November 15 to April 1, there is no on-street parking between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. when Environment Canada forecasts 7 cm or more of snow in the Ottawa area. This includes any forecast for a range of snow more than 7 cm, such as 5 to 10 cm.
Vehicles without a residential parking permit that are parked on the street during an overnight parking ban will be ticketed and towed.
When an overnight winter parking ban is made, the City issues a special advisory to the local media and posts it on ottawa.ca. The parking ban ends when snow clearing is completed and the City issues an advisory indicating that it has been lifted.
Where to park during a winter overnight parking ban
Residents can park at City parking garages during a winter overnight parking ban. If you leave after the available overnight parking period ends, you will have to pay the regular parking rate for your stay.
Vehicle parking available starting at 10 p.m. and must exit by 6:30 a.m.
Private parking lots
Below is a list of some downtown private parking lots that offer overnight parking. The City does not operate these lots and has no information about rates or availability; they are listed as a courtesy only.
33 Mann Avenue
320 Queen Street
350 Albert Street
427 Laurier Avenue West
328 Laurier Avenue West
45 O’Connor Street
63 Albert Street
150 Elgin Street
400 Cooper Street
343 Somerset Street West
140 Somerset Street West
354 Gladstone Avenue
240 McLeod Street
180 Argyle Avenue
150 Isabella Street
1 Rideau Street
700 Sussex Drive
24 York Street
41 George Street
80 Nicholas Street
55 Laurier Avenue East
5 Daly Avenue
363 Rideau Street
290 Rideau Street
265 Laurier Avenue West
100 Thomas Moore Private
801 King Edward Avenue
591 Byron Avenue
1015 Bank Street
How to find your car if it gets towed
Towed vehicles are usually moved to a nearby street where snow removal has already taken place. If you cannot find your vehicle, call the 3-1-1.
Impact on residential parking permit holders
If you have a residential parking permit, your vehicle is exempt from winter overnight parking bans. Removing your vehicle from the street helps City crews clear the street faster.
Temporary no-parking signs
During planned snow removal, temporary "No Parking" signs are posted along streets to be cleared. This parking ban applies to all vehicles, including vehicles with residential parking permits. Any vehicle parked during a temporary "No Parking" ban will be ticketed and towed.
Temporary no-parking signs
Temporary no-parking signs
Help make sidewalks safe
To make sidewalks safe to walk on in the winter, the City provides do-it-yourself grit boxes close to steep hills and in areas where there are many pedestrians, seniors and persons using mobility devices. Residents are encouraged to spread the grit on slippery spots on sidewalks and other problem areas.
Corner of Danforth Avenue and Churchill Avenue North
Corner of Deschênes Street and Pooler Avenue
Corner of Edgecliffe Avenue and Caldwell Avenue
Corner of Elgin Street and Slater Street, south of the ramp
Corner of George Street and William Street, by the pedestrian mall
Corner of Heney Street and Wurtemburg Street
Corner of Lacasse Avenue and Montreal Road
Corner of Laurier Avenue West and Metcalfe Street
Corner of Lenester Avenue and Iroquois Road
Corner of Lepage Avenue and McBride Street
Corner of MacLaren Street and Elgin Street
Corner of Osgoode Main Street and Vance Street
Corner of Maple Lane and Acacia Avenue
Corner of Meadowlands Drive East and Chesterton Drive
Corner of Metcalfe Street and MacLaren Street
Corner of Morisset Avenue and Merivale Road
Corner of New Orchard and Richmond Road
Corner of Ohio Street and Bank Street
Corner of Ravenhill Avenue and Melbourne Avenue
Corner of Rideau Street and Charlotte Street
Corner of Rideau Street and Colonel By Drive
Corner of Rideau Street and Mackenzie Avenue
Corner of Rideau Street and Wurtemburg Street
Corner of Sunnyside Avenue and Bank Street
Corner of Sunnyside Avenue and Riverdale Avenue
Corner of Trépanier Lane and Sparkle Street
Corner of York Street and William Street
Northeast corner of Albert Street and Metcalfe Street
Northeast corner of Gladstone Avenue and Rochester Street
Northwest corner of Bank Street and MacLaren Street
Southeast corner of Elgin Street and Cooper Street
Southeast corner of Albert Street and Empress Avenue
Southwest corner of Booth Street and Elm Street
Southwest corner of Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue West
Dead end of Augusta Street, near Beausoleil Drive
Dead end of Echo Drive, near Avenue Road and Riverdale Avenue
67 Balsam Street
Gladstone Avenue between Bayswater Avenue and Spadina Avenue
975 Gladstone Avenue
Young Street between Bayswater Avenue and Fairmont Avenue
Base of pathway at King Edward Avenue and Union Street
Laurier Avenue Bridge, near the stairs on Colonel By Drive
Mackenzie King Bridge, near the stairs on Colonel By Drive
Bronson Avenue Bridge, near the stairs coming up from Colonel By Drive
Bronson Avenue Bridge, near both the east and west stairs coming up from Queen Elizabeth Drive
Underneath George Dunbar Bridge, between the stairs on Bronson Avenue
Nicholas Street, at the stairs up to Mackenzie King Bridge
Sparks Street between Elgin Street and Lyon Street North
South side of the top of the hill at Acacia Lane
5512 Sand Road in Vars, ON
Snow plow road safety tips
When the snow falls, City crews immediately start clearing the way for you. With such a large network of roads, clearing snow from City streets requires collaboration and support from staff and residents. Residents can help make the process safer for everyone. One way to help is to please slow down and let snow plow operators lead the way when you see a blue light. Below are some additional tips that you can follow to make our roads safe and clear of snow.
Be patient and keep a safe distance behind working snow plows. Snow plows often travel slowly because they are removing snow, spreading salt or sand and applying liquid anti-ice to roadways.
Never pass a snow plow. Snow plows are wider than the average vehicle with large blades that extend a metre or more ahead and into the neighbouring lane. Passing a snow plow on the right could result in severe and even fatal collisions.
Don’t drive beside snow plows. Snow plows sometimes shift sideways when they are plowing packed snow or drifts which could put you at risk for a collision.
Move aside. Snow plows often drive along the centre line of a roadway to remove snow. If you are approaching a snow plow from the opposite direction, shift right, if conditions allow, to ensure there is enough space for the plow to pass you safely.
Beware of reduced visibility. Even at reduced plowing speeds, a light powdery snow forms a cloud in the wake of a snow plow that severely restricts a driver’s visibility. This makes passing extremely dangerous.
Do not pass between snow plows in tandem. On multi-lane roads snow plows often work in tandem, forming an echelon or “conga line”. Passing or weaving between these plows is dangerous. Please stay well back of echelon plows.
Watch for snow plows on sunny days. Snow plows and removal equipment are out for several hours and even days after a storm clearing shoulders and cutting back snow banks. Please be aware of plows even on clear days.
Teach children to play away from the road. The driver of a snow plow may not be able to see a child playing in the snow.
Children should never build snow forts or tunnels along the roadway. Snow forts and tunnels may collapse or be pushed down by snow plows or removal equipment.
Pedestrians should ensure they are visible. Pedestrians should move back from the road if they see or hear a snow plow approaching.
City Snow Vehicle Receives Sideguard Safety Device
The City of Ottawa's Fleet Services team recently completed the installation of a sideguard on a snow plow. This barrier, which was gifted to the City is intended to serve as an additional safety measure for cyclists and pedestrians.
How the City maintains roads in the winter
Plowing through a winter storm
How roads are cleared
After a severe snow storm, operators may have to plow a street twice. Sometimes a grader or dump truck with front and wing plows will do a first pass, followed by a sand/salt truck, to clear a small amount of snow and make sanding/salting more effective.
To clear a cul-de-sac, operators will push the remaining snow to the centre or outside of the street, depending on the available area.
In the early winter, the City removes ruts that have formed on snow-packed surfaces. This keeps catch basin open and helps prevent flooding.
Salt and sand
The City applies dry salt, wet salt, sand salt mix, liquid brine and abrasive materials on streets. Salt is spread early during a snowstorm to make a brine solution that prevents the ice from sticking to the asphalt.
To minimize salt use, rock salt is sprayed with a liquid de-icer as it is spread. This speeds up ice melting by making the salt sticky so it can adhere to the road.
Anti-icing is used before or at the beginning of freezing rain or other winter precipitation. The de-icing solution consists of pre-wetted salt or a liquid solution. It is applied to the Transitway and Highway 174 to prevent ice from forming and bonding to the pavement.
Abrasive materials such as sand are used to increase traction in colder temperatures when salt is not effective.
Snow removal and disposal
The City aims to distribute snow on both sides of the road. Snow banks are removed or reduced in size when they begin to restrict sightlines, travel widths, and pedestrian and cycling traffic. Snow banks that restrict sightlines at intersections and at pedestrian, school and railway crossings are removed within 24 hours after crews are made aware of the situation. If weather permits, snow banks are pushed back to curbs to provide more driving width on the roads and to make space to store snow.
The City’s snow disposal facilities do not accept snow from private operators. To find private snow disposal facilities, consult the Yellow Pages, Greater Ottawa Truckers Association or Ottawa Construction Association.
Snow fences
Snow fences reduce the build-up of drifting snow and ice on roads, and improve visibility for motorists. The City installs wood-slat snow fences or partners with local farmers for corn or tree fences.
Plant a snow fence
The City encourages landowners who plant corn to participate in the Alternative Snow Fencing Program.
In late summer, participating landowners leave six to 12 rows of standing corn parallel to the road and 20 metres from the road’s right-of-way property line. In December, landowners are paid an amount based on the market value per tonne of the unharvested corn, the yield of tonnes per acre, the actual acres standing and for spring clean-up work
In non-agricultural areas, landowners can plant trees 20 metres from the right-of-way property line.
To find out more, please call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).
Flood control
If the temperature rises above zero degrees Celsius in a short period of time, flooding can occur. The City maintains drainage systems to reduce potential flooding conditions. City crews remove snow and ice from catch basins on roads and sidewalks to ensure melting snow drains when required. It is normal for water to pool around a catch basin in wet weather. Roads are designed to drain based on the sewer capacity. Roadside ditches are cleared at the outlet end of the ditch system to provide drainage for the spring melt.
Report a problem with a road, sidewalk, or pathway (winter)
For all emergency requests call 3-1-1. If this service is not available to you please call 613-580-2400. All other Service Requests will be triaged and addressed as operations allow.
Please call 3-1-1 if the issue is related to the following:
An immediate hazard to people or property
Personal accessibility
A traffic-related issue (such as traffic signals or traffic signs)
While performing City maintenance operations, City equipment may sometimes damage lawns and/or roadside mailboxes.
If your lawn was damaged during winter road maintenance operations, you may report the situation to the City at anytime. The City will investigate these reports in early Spring, once the snow and ice has melted. Areas determined by the City to have been damaged by city vehicles will subsequently be scheduled for repair using topsoil and seed.
If your mailbox was damaged during City maintenance operations, the City will investigate and respond.
You will be required to provide:
The street name and number or street name and intersection
The City of Ottawa has over 100,000 catch basins to provide drainage to our roadways and greenspaces.
As a critical component of the city storm collection system, keeping catch basins clear of debris (leaves, ice, snow, etc.) is important. Find the location of your nearest catch basin using the interactive map and help keep our system operating effectively.
Disclaimer
The catch basins depicted in this interactive map are derived from existing and collected engineering drawings for the City of Ottawa's Geographic Information System and are protected by copyright. The locations of this infrastructure information are approximate, and should not be used for construction purposes.
