Efforts continued Monday to clean up Toronto streets after a major snowstorm that brought over 30 centimetres of snow over the weekend.
“Residents who have vehicles parked on designated snow routes are asked to move their vehicles as soon as possible,” Barbara Gray, General Manager of Transportation Services with the City of Toronto, told reporters on Monday morning.
“Service requests for snow-related issues can be made on the 311 Toronto mobile app on the city’s website,” she said.
“We will do our absolute best to respond to and resolve all snow-related 311 service requests as quickly as possible.”
Also speaking to reporters this morning, Vincent Sferrazza, director of operations and maintenance of transportation for the City of Toronto, said he expected the snow removal process to begin Monday evening.
“This evening, we’ll be removing snow on Bloor Street and Danforth,” he said.
“We’re also going to be removing snow on bridge decks, that’s where you have sidewalks, which may have been covered with snow, and there’s no boulevard or road allowance where we can store the snow.”
There are strict consequences if people don’t move their parked cars from the designated snow routes.
“Designated snow routes are primarily located in the downtown core and include all streetcar routes. All snow routes are clearly signed. Parking on a designated snow route during a major snow event is subject to a fine of up to $200,” a city media statement said over the weekend.
“Police, fire and paramedic services rely on clear roads to respond quickly to emergencies. The City may move parked vehicles that delay crews or hinder snow-clearing operations, even when a major snowstorm condition has not been declared or when a vehicle is legally parked. In such instances, vehicles are usually towed to an adjacent street. Illegally parked vehicles may be tagged, towed and impounded.”
“The city is advising people using the roads to keep a safe distance from snow clearing vehicles, be patient and give them room to make the roads and sidewalks safe and accessible for all.”
In another media release statement made by the city, they explain the snow removal procedure after major storms.
During the major snowstorm condition, parking on roads designated as snow routes is prohibited for a period of 72 hours. This will allow for the snow removal of windrows left by snow plows. Under this declaration, the City will collect the snow and remove it to designated snow storage sites.
The statement went on to say that the declaration may be cancelled sooner than 72 hours.
The city said that “snow removal operations typically take place during the daytime from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Where signs are posted, stating that it is designated for the city to clean and remove the snow, parking on that road is prohibited until snow removal has been completed and the signs are removed.”
City officials are warning that they expect the declaration to be likely extended throughout the rest of the week.
Friday’s stormy event also brought “thundersnow” with lightening brightening up the night sky.
This latest snowfall was soo concerning in nature that City of Toronto officials had to declare a “major snowstorm condition” for the first time since January 2022, when the city saw upwards to 50 centimeters of snow that fell on the ground.
According to The City of Toronto media release statement, “they have declared a major snowstorm condition for the city in preparation for snow removal operations, which are anticipated to begin on Monday and will improve safety and accessibility in areas where snow piles restrict traffic flow, interfere with sidewalks and parking and obstruct sightlines.”
“In most cases, snow can be managed within the existing road allowance through the City’s normal winter maintenance operations. However, the City has the authority to declare a major snowstorm condition when large amounts of snow accumulate during a relatively short period of time,” the statement reads.
“Under Municipal Code Chapter 950-406, the Mayor or the General Manager, Transportation Services, may declare that a major snowstorm condition exists on any highway or portion of highway when at least five centimetres of snow has fallen, when snow is required to be removed to allow for the proper movement of vehicles and when the clearing of snow is impeded by traffic and parking.”