Good Morning Ward 24 Residents,
For the forecast of this weekend’s snowstorm, here is an update on City of Toronto Transportation Services’ winter operations plans as of January 19 at 9am.
Note: ***These plans are estimates only and subject to changing conditions such as timing of the event and the amount of precipitation.***
Weather: Flurries will linger through the morning before intensifying to periods of snow for the afternoon lingering into the early evening then tapering to scattered flurries for the remainder of tonight into early Sunday morning. Snowfall amounts of 3-8cm are possible by this evening with another trace – 1cm through the overnight. Winds will increase to gusts of 50-60 km/h for the afternoon lingering through the day Sunday resulting in blowing & drifting snow. Temperatures will be in the low to mid-minus teens for the evening with wind chills near -25.
Given the forecast accumulation, it is possible that multiple rounds of salting and plowing may be required on expressways, arterial and collector roads. Local roads will also be plowed when snowfall has reached 8cm and has substantially stopped. High & low pedestrian volume sidewalks, as well as separated bike lanes, will also be cleared/salted.
Patrol:
Transportation maintains a 24/7 patrol to constantly monitor road and sidewalk conditions.
Roadway Salting:
– Transportation has approximately 200 salt trucks on standby that can be on the road within one hour of notification.
– Salting operations will begin on Saturday morning when snow begins to accumulate
– Multiple rounds of salt will be required. Salting will continue through Saturday until plowing thresholds are met.
Roadway Plowing:
– Plowing operations on expressways will commence at 2cm of accumulation
– Plowing operations on arterial and collector roads will commence at 5cm of accumulation – approximately 7pm – 9pm Saturday
– Plowing operations on local roads will commence when accumulations have reached 8cm and are substantially complete – approximately 12am – 1am Sunday
Trails & Separated Bike Lanes:
– Salting & plowing of the Martin Goodman Trail & Humber Bay Waterfront Trail will commence Saturday morning when snow begins to accumulate
– Salting & plowing of the separated bike lanes will commence Saturday morning when snow begins to accumulate
– Multiple rounds will be required
Sidewalks & Bus Stops:
– Mechanical sidewalk clearing on high pedestrian volume sidewalks will commence at approximately 2pm – 4pm Saturday
– A second round of sidewalk clearing will be required on Sunday
– A third round of sidewalk clearing may be required on Monday due to high winds, drifting snow and cold temperatures
I will send more information out as it is received.
***Please remember to check on elderly neighbours and those who may have mobility issues***
For up to the minute updates please follow Transportation Services on Twitter at @TO_WinterOps and on our real-time public GPS site at http://www.toronto.ca/plowto
All my Best,
Paul