Winter is here: 5 things you need to know about road maintenance
Kawartha Lakes – Winter is here in Kawartha Lakes. Did you know that Kawartha Lakes is the second largest geographic municipality in Canada? Since we’re so big, we have more than 5,400 lane kilometres of road to service every winter weather event! That’s equal to driving to Florida and back every storm.
Snowplow operations
We have over 70 snowplow routes throughout Kawartha Lakes. Snowplow operations typically begin at 4am and plow routes can take as long as ten hours to complete.
Snowplow operators each have a route they are assigned to clear. So if you see a snowplow driving with its plow up, or not applying sand to the road, that means its travelling to or from its designated route. Snowplows often need to travel other roads to reach their assigned routes.
Snowplow operators’ driving hours are regulated; there are limits to the number of hours they can drive in any given day. That’s part of the reason why significant weather events, involving heavy snowfall and/or blowing snow, can take a little longer to clear the roads.
Please do not attempt to pass a working snowplow. It’s a needless risk that could put yourself, other drivers on the road and the snowplow operator in danger.
Please do not follow too close behind snowplows and increase your following distance for all vehicles.
Please increase your stopping distance for stop signs and traffic lights and reduce your speed around corners and curves.
Any snow clearing concerns, including missed roads or damage caused by snowplows, can be reported using our online Report It tool or by calling our Customer Service team at 705-324-9411.
And finally, please keep in mind that our snowplow operators are human beings. While we’re asleep in our warm and cozy beds, they’re out clearing the roads so that you can drive safe on your morning commute. While we recognize it can be frustrating when roads aren’t cleared immediately, please be assured that if there’s snow/ice/freezing rain on the roads, our snowplow operators are out there doing their best to clear the roads for you.
Help do your part during the winter season
Residents are responsible for clearing the snow on their property, including the snow left behind by snowplows and the snow that covers the sidewalk in front of their home.
When digging yourself out of a recent snow fall, please be sure to pile the snow from your driveways and walkways onto your own property and not on the road. Piling snow up on the road is a violation of the Highway Traffic Act and it can lead to blocked ditches, culverts and storm water catch basins. It could also create unsafe road conditions for vehicles.
Tips:
Place the snow on the right side of your driveways (while standing in the driveway and looking towards the street) so the snowplow does not carry snow back into your driveway.
To improve visibility for yourself and others on the road, while shoveling, be sure to spread out the snow on your property to ensure that your snowbanks aren’t too high.
Please take the time to keep fire hydrants near your home clear and accessible. The extra time you take to clear the hydrant each time you shovel could save your home or your neighbour’s home in the case of a fire.
Winter waste collection – do’s and don’ts
DO: Place bags and bins on your driveway near the edge of the road in a cleared spot.
DON’T: Place containers on snowbanks as this may cause damage to the bins if they are hit by a plow.
DO: If your garbage isn’t picked up due to inclement weather, please bring it back inside. You’ll receive a double pick up the following week.
DO: If your recycling (blue box or green box) is missed due to weather, it will be picked up two weeks later on your next container or paper/fibre collection day respectively. Please hang onto it until the correct week.
DO: We highly recommend that you download the Recycle Coach app here. Not only will you get waste collection delay notices directly to your mobile phone but you’ll also get notifications for any of our upcoming curbside programs (leaf and yard, battery, etc.) and you’ll have access to an amazing "What Goes Where?" tool, that will absolutely help you to recycle better. Waste delays are communicated through the municipality’s social media accounts (listed below) and a notification is sent to the people directly affected by the delays through our Recycle Coach app.
Winter parking
Overnight parking on the street is not permitted between the hours of 11pm and 6am between November 1 and April 30. The rule is in place so that our snowplow operators can quickly and efficiently clear our roads during the winter season. Vehicles interfering with winter operations are subject to an immediate ticket and/or towing.
Keeping informed
You can monitor the weather and extreme cold alerts yourself by following your local weather forecast provider. Weather alerts can be found on the Environment Canada website and their WeatherCAN app.
Should a significant winter weather event occur emergency notices, road closures or restrictions will be added to Municipal511. If residents must drive in these conditions, they’re encouraged to visit the Municipal511 website prior to embarking, just to be sure your route is clear.
Kawartha Lakes recommends that all residents have a winter driving survival kit in their vehicle in case they get stuck in the snow. Visit the Tips for safe winter driving section on our Snowplowing and Winter Maintenance page for a full list of what your winter driving survival kit should include.
For more information related to winter control operations in Kawartha Lakes, including frequently asked questions and tips for safe winter driving, visit the Snowplowing and Winter Maintenance page on our website: https://www.kawarthalakes.ca/en/living-here/snowplowing-and-winter-maintenance.aspx
