Owen Sound's Snow Response in Full Force

Residents are being asked to avoid parking on the road when winter maintenance is required, to assist staff in clearing the roads as quickly and efficiently as possible. The City of Owen Sound's fully staffed Public Works Department continues to provide around-the-clock snow removal services across the municipality, and all snow removal equipment is fully operational. However, snow removal equipment is hindered or prevented from entering snow-narrowed roads when vehicles are parked on the road.

Parking on City roads is prohibited between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. from December 1 to March 31. However, the snowbanks from the extraordinary snow we have already received this winter have resulted in constricted roads. To help the plows get down your road, please refrain from parking on the road during daytime hours, as plows will not be able to service the road if it is too narrow to enter without risking damage to personal property.  

Owen Sound is still under a Significant Weather Event declaration. This means that normal snow response timelines observed under the Minimum Maintenance Standards are extended. While staff are fully mobilized and working at maximum capacity, the volume and frequency of snow events are delaying response times. As of Wednesday afternoon, most roads have been cleared within the last 48 hours, with the exception of some dead-end roads and lanes, which should be expected to take longer. Snowfall occurring on the weekend will have longer than usual response times.

The City’s tiered response system ensures critical routes receive priority attention. Arterial roads, hills and emergency routes are cleared first, followed by City bus routes and then residential streets. The City’s Fire department is also working to clear the accumulation of snow from around fire hydrants. 

Staff are planning another snowbank removal process in the River District next week, depending on the weather.

Residents are reminded that sidewalk clearing typically occurs alongside road operations but takes much longer to complete. Priority is given to main pedestrian routes and areas around schools and medical facilities.

For more information about the City's snow removal operations, please visit the City’s Winter Maintenance page on the website. To report snow removal concerns, please visit OwenSound.ca/ReportAConcern.

For more information, please contact Lara Widdifield, Director of Public Works and Engineering, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1201 or email lwiddifield@owensound.ca

Quick Facts:

• Public Works staff are on the road 24/7 on three shifts throughout winter control to ensure public safety.
• Visit our website at www.OwenSound.ca/PlanForSnow for more information on Owen Sound’s Winter Maintenance program.
• To date, the City has already received almost 400 cm of snow this season, 120 per cent of the total annual average.

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