Mississauga Launches Winter Maintenance Season, Focuses on Community Safety and Accessibility
Mississauga, ON – With the winter season upon us, the City of Mississauga is set to roll out its comprehensive winter maintenance program, aiming to keep the city safe and accessible for all residents and travelers. Mayor Carolyn Parrish, along with Councillors Alvin Tedjo, Brad Butt, Joe Horneck, Sue McFadden, and Works Operations and Maintenance staff, gathered to officially launch the 2024-2025 winter maintenance season, emphasizing community readiness and teamwork.
Mayor Parrish underscored the significance of collaboration and safety: “When we get our first big snowfall, remember that we’re all part of one community. Let’s make an effort to lend a helping hand to support our hardworking crews. The critical work they do helps keep us safe and allows us to get on with our day – because we know life doesn’t stop when it snows. Remember to be alert and patient on our roads, give crews and equipment lots of space to work, and please treat our crews, and each other, with respect.”
Winter Maintenance in Mississauga
The City of Mississauga’s operations cover snow and ice removal on city-owned infrastructure, including roads, on-street bike lanes, priority sidewalks, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, and roadside multi-use trails. City staff also maintain community facilities, such as community centres, libraries, and certain park parking lots and trails. Peel Region manages snow clearing on main regional roads.
Service Levels and Prioritization
The City’s winter response kicks into gear when snow accumulates to at least five centimeters. Roads and sidewalks are either plowed or salted, depending on the severity of the snowfall. Priority roads, serving emergency vehicles and transit routes, and sidewalks near schools, hospitals, and transit lines are cleared first. Snow-clearing operations for priority infrastructure are typically completed within 12 to 24 hours after the snow stops.
Residential roads, park pathways, and community link trails are attended to within 24 to 36 hours, although the timeline may extend in the event of heavy or back-to-back snowfalls. It’s important to note that residential roads are not always cleared to bare pavement but are made safe and passable.
Managing On-Street Parking During Winter
Residents are reminded to avoid parking on streets during snowfall, as this can obstruct snow-clearing operations. Vehicles parked on the street risk receiving tickets or being towed. Temporary parking permits will be suspended during snow-clearing operations to facilitate efficient snow removal.
Environmental Impact and Salt Management
The City employs environmentally conscious salt management practices, including pre-treating roads with brine, strategic salt application, and frequent plowing. These methods are designed to keep roads safe while minimizing environmental impact.
Staying Informed
Residents can stay updated through several resources:
- Online Plow Tracker: Monitor the progress of snow plows and sidewalk-clearing equipment at mississauga.ca/snow.
- Mississauga Snow Updates: Follow @MississaugaSnow on X for real-time information on snow-clearing efforts.
- Peel Region Updates: Follow @PeelPublicWorks on X for snow maintenance on regional roads.
- 311 Contact: Residents can call 311 or 905-615-4311 (if outside city limits) for inquiries or to report missed service.
Mississauga’s proactive approach, reinforced by community support, aims to ensure that the city remains safe and navigable throughout the winter months.
SOURCE City of Mississauga
