Town Wide Sidewalk Winter Maintenance Program

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Consultation has concluded for this project. Thank you to everyone who participated. 

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.
Sidewalk TypeWhen does the Town aim to start salting?How much snow is that?When does the Town aim to start plowing?How much snow is that?How many hours after the snow stops falling does it take to clear an average storm?
PrimaryWhen deemed necessary.N/A5 cmA house key.It can be up to 48 hours. Under significant snow events, this duration could be extended. Notification of a significant snow event will be made on social media.
SecondaryWhen deemed necessary.N/A8 cmA bank card.It can be up to 48 hours. Under significant snow events, this duration could be extended. Notification of a significant snow event will be made on social media.

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.



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.
Sidewalk TypeWhen does the Town aim to start salting?How much snow is that?When does the Town aim to start plowing?How much snow is that?How many hours after the snow stops falling does it take to clear an average storm?
PrimaryWhen deemed necessary.N/A5 cmA house key.It can be up to 48 hours. Under significant snow events, this duration could be extended. Notification of a significant snow event will be made on social media.
SecondaryWhen deemed necessary.N/A8 cmA bank card.It can be up to 48 hours. Under significant snow events, this duration could be extended. Notification of a significant snow event will be made on social media.

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.



Consultation has concluded for this project. Thank you to everyone who participated. 

Staff will get back to you as soon as possible. 

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    IsthetowndoingWintersidewalkmaintenanceStadelbauerDrBeamsvillebetweenConnerDrandSt.George’sDr

    Marcia asked about 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question. This section of sidewalk is not currently on the Town’s Winter Sidewalk Maintenance program. This section of sidewalk is intended to include in the expanded program starting in November 2022.

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    Coming from Grimsby where sidewalk clearing had been imposed for years, and being a mom who has tried to navigate with a stroller in the winter, I am very supportive of this initiative. Thank you for including the cost breakdown, that seems reasonable on a per person basis. I would be for the tax increase to cover this service. My request, that may already be a consideration, would be that you please use sand, instead of salt, if you do decide to move forward with it as it's more pet and environmentally friendly. Thank you!

    LauraF asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for mentioning this. Our standard service level is a snow packed and sanded finished surface, salt is only used when a bare pavement finished product is required to ensure pedestrian safety.

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    We never get side walk cleaned on Alyssa Drive, please include this in your list.

    AJ asked over 2 years ago

    Sidewalk snow removal is currently the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. This project looks at the feasibility of the Town providing snow removal services for all the sidewalks within Lincoln. 

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    will this be All of Lincoln. or once again like all spending be only in Beamsville.

    tim asked over 2 years ago

    Thanks for your question. This program will include all sidewalks within the Town of Lincoln.