Winter FAQ's
1) When will my street be plowed? (Answer)
2) Why haven’t they plowed my street or sidewalk? (Answer)
3) Does HRM clear sidewalks? (Answer)
4) Why hasn't the sidewalk or bus stop been plowed? (Answer)
5) Why did the plow dump all the snow in my driveway and will it be cleared? (Answer)
6) Why are the streets in one area cleared better than in another?(Answer)
7) Why doesn't the plow do a better job clearing the crest of a cul-de-sac? (Answer)
8) Why are trucks out when there is no snow? (Answer)
9) Why aren't the trucks out? (Answer)
10) Am I allowed to park on the street? (Answer)
11) Why did my car get ticketed or towed? (Answer)
12) Why did the snow plow push all the snow up against my car and then go around and push the snow into the front of my car? (Answer)
13) As a resident, what should I do during and after a winter storm?(Answer)
14) I am a senior citizen and am concerned that I cannot do the amount of snow shoveling that is required in the winter months.(Answer)
15) The snow banks are too high at different intersections and I would like to have the snow removed. (Answer)
16) Why is the plow going back and forth with the blade down when there is no snow on the road? (Answer)
17) Why is the plow dropping salt when I live in a 'sand only' area?(Answer)
18) Why do the snow plow operators only plow one lane? Are they coming back and when? (Answer)
19) Why don't the snow plow operators plow all the way back to the curb? (Answer)
20) Why do they need to tear up sods with the plow, don't they know where the curb is? (Answer)
21) What happens to my garbage now that the plow has been through? (Answer)
22) I have seen residents shovelling snow into the streets. Is there someone I should notify about this? Does this also apply to HRM contractors who place snow in the streets? (Answer)
23) Sometimes apartment buildings have snow piled up so high it blocks the view planes. Is there someone I should notify about this?(Answer)
24) Why doesn't HRM just truck away the snow? (Answer)
25) A catchbasin in my neighbourhood is never cleared and often causes issues. What are some things that can be done to ensure it stays clear? (Answer)
26) Is noise from municpal snow clearing operations that take place overnight exempt from HRM's noise by-law? (Answer)
Answers:
1) When will my street be plowed?
After a snowfall, crews prioritize which streets to salt, sand, or plow following a service standard. Within the standard, the Priority 1 streets include main arteries, bus routes, hill areas and streets leading to schools and public buildings. Once Priority 1 streets are complete, then residential roads (Priority 2) will be cleared. The service standard requires that the Priority 1 streets be completed within 12 hours after the end of a snowfall and 24 hours for Priority 2 streets.
During a snow event, we ask that residents please be patient during snow clear up. HRM’s resources are busy with snow removal so any inquiries you may have about street priorities and snow removal can be best addressed at the completion of a snow event. Please also be reminded that we are unable to take requests for dispatching of trucks for streets clearing until these standards have passed. Our snow and ice crews are out in full force will work until all streets and sidewalks are completed.
2) Why haven’t they plowed my street or sidewalk?
During and after a snow storm, our snow and ice crews are out in full force and are working to clear the streets and sidewalks. Our snow and ice service delivery is based on the service standard and crews will reach your street. Residents can normally expect streets to be cleaned within 24 hours and up to 36 hours for sidewalks. However, things like the amount of snow, time of day, and equipment breakdown can affect whether or not your street might be plowed. Please be patient and rest assured that crews are out working and snow clearing will not stop until all streets and sidewalks are completed.
3) Does HRM clear sidewalks?
HRM clears most sidewalks within an assigned service area. Those that abut the sidewalk in Peninsula Halifax and Spryfield and on a main transit route are responsible for the removal of snow under Bylaw S300. Like the street-clearing operation, our snow-clearing crews clear sidewalks also based on a service standard. Sidewalk clearing takes anywhere between 12 hours to 36 hours after the end of a snowfall. Our full crew is presently working and they won’t stop until all sidewalks are done.
4) Why hasn't the sidewalk or bus stop been plowed?
Major arterial sidewalks are cleaned within 12 hours after the end of the snowfall. Residential sidewalks take up to 36 hours to be cleaned when allpriority streets and sidewalks are completed. However, in situations where there is in excess of 15cm of snow or back-to-back storms, there is often a requirement to remove the snow with snow blowers or buckets, which is a more time-consuming operation than just plowing the sidewalks. In these situations, the completion of the sidewalks takes longer.
Bus stops are cleared at the end of a snow control operation because the snow must be removed entirely with larger equipment and trucks. These operations are carried out under the requirements of the Provincial Temporary Traffic Control . Much of this work is done after hours, when lighter traffic conditions enables the work to be carried out safely.
Both the sidewalks and the bus stops are a priority after the streets are complete and the snow program is not completed until all sidewalks and bus stops are complete.
5) Why did the plow dump all the snow in my driveway and will it be cleared?
When plowing streets, the snow plow doesn't have a place to push snow except to the curb of the road. It's very important to have the snow pushed well back to open up all catch basins and to provide for snow storage for subsequent snow storms. This means that the plow must make several passes to ensure the snow is pushed back as close as possible to the curb. As a result, your driveway will be impacted. It is also important that these additional snow removal passes be made to minimize the narrowing of streets which impacts, over time, the ability of emergency vehicles to access the streets when required.
HRM understands this is an inconvenience but we ask residents to please understand that the purpose of this is to keep the streets safe and free of snow. Snow that accumulates in driveway will not be removed by the Municipality because such service requires additional equipment and staffing resources.
6) Why are the streets in one area cleared better than in another?
Snow and ice service standards are the same for all HRM streets; however, in any given situation, these standards my be impacted based on the timing of the storm, the amount of traffic and snowfalls, and operational issues like equipment breakdown. It should also be noted that there are several micro climates throughout HRM, and that often, areas within the different regions of the Municipality can receive considerably different temperatures and amounts of snow in any given storm. It is our intention however to deliver a consistent level of snow and ice services throughout all of the HRM’s service area.
7) Why doesn't the plow do a better job clearing the crest of a cul-de-sac?
It is very difficult for our larger plows to manipulate in the crest of a cul-de-sac to clear all the snow. As more snow builds up throughout the winter, these areas present a unique challenge for snow clearing operations. Whenever possible, a smaller plow is used to clean up the cul-de-sac and when required, a front end loader is used to complete the snow clearing. This type of equipment is first used for the clearing of streets and other priorities. Based on scheduled work and equipment availability permits, and once a significant amount of snow accumulates in the cul-de-sac, we attempt to remove it.
8) Why are trucks out when there is no snow?
There are many uncontrollable factors that influence the activation of snow and ice operations. Such things as forecasting of weather events, the timing of weather events, the need to pre-salt prior to a snow event, and the need to have equipment quickly available should a non-freeze up situation switch dramatically to a freezing situation. All these uncontrollables often require that trucks be dispatched even if it doesn't appear that they are required at the moment.
9) Why aren't the trucks out?
HRM's snow and ice staff monitor the weather continuously throughout the winter months. In an attempt to be as proactive as possible in dispatching snow and ice operations, supervisory staff and equipment operators are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the winter months in order to respond. As well, there are midnight crews at work on all weekdays to respond to early morning snow and ice requirements. There are always a number of events each winter that are not forecast that may delay the dispatch of trucks. Also, the timing of the storm may create the appearance that the trucks are not out because they're actually sitting in the same traffic that everyone else is in.
10) Am I allowed to park on the street?
HRM has an overnight parking ban which can take effect anytime from Dec. 15 - March 31 and enforced during declared snow events. The ban restricts any overnight parking. In addition, Section 139 of the Motor Vehicle Act is also enforced which states that parked vehicles obstructing snow removal or winter maintenance operations may be removed at the owner’s cost regardless of time or date. This will improve conditions for everyone's safety and will help HRM to meet service delivery standards for snow removal.
11) Why did my car get ticketed or towed?
When in effect, the overnight winter parking ban restricts vehicles from being parked on any street between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m during declared snow events. In addition, during storm events Section 139 of theMotor Vehicle Act is enforced which may result in your car being ticketed of towed if you park on the street. For further information on ticketed or towed vehicles, you can contact the non-emergency Halifax Regional Police number at 902-490-5016.
12) Why did the snow plow push all the snow up against my car and then go around and push the snow into the front of my car?
During a snow storm, the public is not permitted to park on any HRM streets as it interferes with the carrying out and delivery of snow and ice services. If the vehicle is left on the street, the plow driver has to go around the vehicle and this will result in snow being pushed up around the front and back of the vehicle.
Please note that when there is a snow and ice operation in effect, a winter parking ban, which restricts overnight street parking, is enforced to ensure safe snow and ice removal services. During these times, Section 139 of the Motor Vehicle Act is in effect which states that parked vehicles obstructing snow removal or winter maintenance operations may be removed at the owner’s cost regardless of time or date. The winter parking ban may also be in effect regardless of weather.
13) As a resident, what should I do during and after a winter storm?
We ask you to stay home if at all possible and be prepared when there is a major snowfall in the forecast. You should remove your cars from the street prior to and during snow clearing operations. Your vehicles could be ticketed or towed if they remain parked on the street once the winter parking ban is in effect. We also encourage you to help others, especially seniors and disabled persons, to clear their driveways and sidewalks. Also, please be aware of when you are putting out garbage bags, cans or green bins during active weather to place them so they will not interfer with street or sidewalk snow plowing.
14) I am a senior citizen and am concerned that I cannot do the amount of snow shoveling that is required in the winter months.
Halifax Regional Municipality is partnering with seniors' groups in the community to provide a program to assist seniors and other persons with disabilities with snow removal during the winter months. Under the program, those that qualify will have snow removed from front steps and walkways, back steps and path to oil tank if applicable; driveway snow removal is at responsibility of the resident. For general inquiries about this program - http://www.halifax.ca/services/seniorssnow.html, or call 1-902-558-1049.
15) The snow banks are too high at different intersections and I would like to have the snow removed.
HRM carries out snow removal at intersections to improve line of sight for drivers. This work is carried out by the same equipment and crews that provide all the other snow and ice services. Once all the streets,sidewalks, bus stops, overhead crosswalk locations, accessible parking locations have been completed, these crews carry out intersection snow removal as equipment and manpower permits. If you have a particular location in mind, please call the Corporate Call Centre at 311 and we will place it on the list for snow removal, understanding that major intersections will be given the first priority.
16) Why is the plow going back and forth with the blade down when there is no snow on the road?
In order to properly plow the street, the plow operator must make several passes in each direction. The final pass or two may appear to be not plowing any snow, but is usually done to complete a final push back of the snow to the curb to open up the catch basins to prevent future flooding and to provide storage space for future snow storms.
17) Why is the plow dropping salt when I live in a 'sand only' area?
In order to keep our sand stockpile from freezing, a small amount (5% or less) of salt is mixed with the sand. This is the only salt that should be used if you are in a ‘sand only' area. If you can give us some particulars as to the unit that was dropping salt and when, our supervisor will talk to the operators and correct this situation, as they should not be salting in a ‘sand only' areas.
18) Why do the snow plow operators only plow one lane? Are they coming back and when?
Based on the amount of traffic on the main arteries, or the total amount of snowfall, our plows often make a pass in and out of secondary roads to open them up for the residents. Once the traffic on the main arteries has dissipated, they will then go back and complete the main arteries and then complete the secondaries, pushing the snow back to the curb. Also, when the amount of snow is so great that the smaller plow units cannot push all the snow to the curb, they will make a pass in and out to open it up, and then a larger unit or a front end loader will eventually come by and push the snow back to the curb. Generally speaking, the street is not complete until the snow has been pushed back as far as the curb.
19) Why don't the snow plow operators plow all the way back to the curb?
HRM's practice is to plow the snow whenever possible back as far as the curb. However, in any given snow storm, with the amount of snow, where the previous snow window has frozen in place, or if the size of the plow cannot push all the snow that has fallen, it may not be all the way back to the curb, but it is our practice to try and get it back to the curb whenever possible. There are also situations, particularly in the early winter or late spring, when it snows and the area behind the curbs is not frozen, our large plows can do a considerable amount of damage to the curb and sodded area. Therefore we instruct our operators to use care and stay back from the curb sufficiently to prevent this damage.
20) Why do they need to tear up sods with the plow, don't they know where the curb is?
Our plow operators make every effort to minimize damage to sodded areas and the curb, particularly in the early winter and late spring when there is no frost in the ground - making damage particularly easy to occur. In a snow storm situation, it is difficult for plow operators to see where the actual curb or the edge of the sidewalk is, and the larger plow units can do considerable damage without the operator feeling the damage occur. Therefore, there are situations where the plow operator intentionally tries to stay back from the curb and sodded area, but as indicated, this is difficult when there is a lot of snow or visibility is bad during a snow storm. Any damage that is done and reported to the Municipality will be repaired by the Municipality. Residents can use the online customer service form to report the violation or call 311.
21) What happens to my garbage now that the plow has been through?
The HRM Call Centre at 311 will handle any futher questions you may have regarding Solid Waste Schedule.
22) I have seen residents shovelling snow into the streets. Is there someone I should notify about this? Does this also apply to HRM contractors who place snow in the streets?
It is against By-law S-300 to throw snow or pile snow in the travelled portion of the street, whether it is a contractor or private citizen. Residents can use the online customer service form to report the violation or call 311.
23) Sometimes apartment buildings have snow piled up so high it blocks the view planes. Is there someone I should notify about this?
Apartment buildings and commercial properties cannot pile their snow out on the street right-of-way. Residents can use the online customer service form to report the violation or call 311.
24) Why doesn't HRM just truck away the snow?
Trucking snow away is very costly in term of both expense and additional carbon emissions.
25) A catchbasin in my neighbourhood is never cleared and often causes issues. What are some things that can be done to ensure it stays clear?
With over 20,000 catch basins in the HRM to maintain, it is virtually impossible for crews to clear all of them - particularly when many times there is only a small advanced warning of rain. Crews do have lists of priority catch basins which historically have created significant problems when not working properly. Residents are encouraged to help themselves and neighbours by keeping a catch basin or storm drain in their neighbourhood clear, as long as they can do it safely.
26) Is noise from municpal snow clearing operations that take place overnight exempt from HRM's noise by-law?
Yes. Municipal snow removal operations that take place on the streets overnight are exempt from HRM's noise by-law.
