Town Wide Sidewalk Winter Maintenance Program

Many municipalities across Ontario have been struggling to meet the needs of residents that don't rely on the road network for mobility. These residents require more frequent use and clearing of the sidewalks during the winter months.

The Town of Lincoln has depended mainly on a By-Law passed in the early 70s that requires residents to clear the sidewalk adjacent to their property of any snow and debris. With a greater demand for active transportation options and the increasing risk of potential personal injury, it was determined that an alternative approach to winter sidewalk clearing should be considered and developed.

Alternative Approach

Through community engagement and public input, the Town has developed a winter maintenance program that will ensure all community members have access to the transportation network year-round.

Utilizing varying levels of service, the program will be customized to provide service where and when required most, at a sustainable cost for the community.

Stakeholder groups were an active part of developing the criteria for classifying all of the assets that make up the Town's network, ensuring that the community's needs are weighed equally with all other factors in the development process.

Sidewalks

The Town has identified two (2) main sidewalk subtypes to be included in the new sidewalk winter maintenance program:

• Primary | 28+ km of road adjacent to the sidewalk
  • Refers to any sidewalk on the main street, curb-faced sidewalk, school crossing, and bike lane.
  • It will be addressed first.
  • Refer to the blue colouring on the sidewalk map
• Secondary | 53.7+km of walkways
  • Refers to sidewalks located on lower volume local roads (ex. side streets, walkways within parks)

Level of Service

The level of service/clearing provided for each sidewalk is determined based on balancing each sidewalk's level of usage, availability of alternative routes, and service needs. Now, there are two levels:

Primary

• Staff will aim to start service when accumulation exceeds 5cm, but service may not start until accumulation exceeds 8cm.
• The route will be completed within 48hrs of the end of snowfall - Significant Winter Events will result in longer response times.
• Salt application and plowing as required.
• Staff will aim to maintain continuously during an event.
• Salt may be used to address accumulation below 5cm when deemed required.
• If the depth of snow accumulation exceeds our targets while snow continues accumulating, residents may notice that the snow depths exceed 8cm, but the Town is working to maintain routes as it is safe to do so.

Secondary

• Aim to be cleared within 48hrs after an event's end and meets or exceeds 8cm. Significant Winter Events will result in longer response times.
• Salted or/or plowed as required.

Important Information

• Sidewalks cannot be cleared by equipment if vehicles or objects are blocking or overhanging sidewalks. We ask all residents to ensure that their cars are parked within their driveway and not overhanging on the sidewalks or roads during our Winter operations. This helps our crews clear the streets and sidewalks the fastest way possible to keep our residents safe and able to move around Town.
• While we are addressing the entire Town, response times may take longer than residents are used to. The Town-owned sidewalk in front of your house will be cleared as required under the Ontario Regulations and our Pilot Program response. Residents can clear their sidewalks in advance of the Town's response, but this is not required. Properties with accumulated snow on the Town-owned sidewalks will not be ticketed.