City of Brockville Explains Winter Maintenance Control

Brockville – Winter weather is seldom cooperative. The conclusion of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 have followed that theme. Below is a table showing the summary of snowfall and accumulation, as well as the fluctuations in temperatures that our City has faced.

The City has had approximately 65 cm of snow accumulation, freezing rain and regular rain with temperatures fluctuating from -13 to +7 degrees Celsius since December 17th, 2025. This means our snow machinery has not stopped.

Through the Holidays and the recent week following, the City Public Works department has received calls and emails from residents asking seasonal questions regarding plowing of roads, sidewalks, and trails, as well as plans for snow removal. As Canadians, we’re familiar with winter weather and the challenges snow, ice, rain and melting runoff can create for daily life. City Public Works staff are working 24/7 to meet those challenges head-on.

The City of Brockville performs winter maintenance in accordance with the City’s Winter Maintenance Policy. This policy is created, reviewed, updated, and republished annually through the City Council. The policy prescribes the order and means in which City staff and City resources are deployed before, during and following a winter storm. The Winter Maintenance Policy ensures the City meet regulatory requirements as determined by the Province of Ontario O.Reg 239/02. The City Winter Maintenance Policy can be found by clicking this link.

Staff have summarized some of the frequently asked questions (FAQ’s):

Are streets plowed in order?

Yes, the Province of Ontario maintenance standards prioritize roads based on traffic volume, use and other factors. Provincial regulations describe the highest priorities as Class I, with Class V being the lowest priority. For example, the 400 series provincial highways are Class I. Within the City, arterial roads, roads with high traffic volume, bus routes, schools, and hospitals within the City are Class II and III, while residential roads, laneways and cul-de-sacs are ranked as Class IV and V, respectively. City staff are required to clear snow from the higher priority roads before and more frequently than lower priority roads in accordance with the standards set by the Province.

When will my street be plowed, salted, and sanded?

The provincial regulation dictates the amount of time a municipality has to respond to a snowfall event. These times are prescriptive and change based on how much snow has fallen. In accordance with the Provincial regulations and City Policy:

• i. Class II roads must be plowed within 6 hours following a snow accumulation of 5 cm
• ii. Class III roads must be plowed within 12 hours following a snow accumulation of 8 cm
• iii. Class IV roads must be plowed within 16 hours following a snow accumulation of 8 cm
• iv. Class V roads must be plowed within 24 hours following a snow accumulation of 10 cm

In all cases, timelines begin at the end of the snow event. City plowing begins as soon as the snowfall starts, while contractors are deployed to Class IV & V if accumulation is forecast.

Why is my street plowed after others?

If a neighbouring street is done before or differently from another, it is because of the classification as described in the Winter Maintenance Policy. Additionally, City staff have created plowing routes for City roads in the most efficient way possible according to the provincial classification.

What is the priority of City sidewalks?

Like roads, Provincial regulation also set levels of winter maintenance for sidewalks and prescribe a 48-hour timeline for sidewalks to be plowed. City snow machinery is deployed to clear sidewalks and certain City trails in accordance with the priority in the Winter Maintenance Policy.

Does the City use contractors?

Yes, the City has five graders on standby throughout winter. Contractor graders are deployed to plow residential Class IV & V roads if forecast snow accumulation is expected to delay City plows reaching the residential streets in the prescribed timelines. Annually, the City budgets over $89,000 to deploy contractor graders. Additionally, the City uses contractors to provide dump trucks to assist during snow removal activities. Annually, the City budgets $240,000 to complete snow removal activities. Snow removal activities are undertaken as resources permit.

When does the City conduct snow removal?

Snow removal is a proactive step initiated by the Public Works Department to remove snow from the denser downtown areas. All City streets are designed to provide some snow storage capacity in the form of snowbanks on or between the sides of the roads and the sidewalk area. Once staff have met the level of service of the winter maintenance policy, satisfying the provincial regulations, staff will pivot to snow removal. Snow removal requires specialty heavy machinery and is typically done at night during reduced traffic and during parking bans.

What about catch basins and potholes?

When temperatures fluctuate, potholes are known to form and melting snow accumulates. During winter maintenance, Public Works staff further monitor for potholes and the approximately 3,200 stormwater catch basins to ensure they are not blocked by snow. When residents identify potholes or snow melt accumulation, Public Works staff respond to address the issues. Suspected blocked stormwater catch basins and potholes can be easily reported to the City by clicking this link to report the issue.

We appreciate your patience. Staff are working around the clock to address the issue. The best way to provide input about areas of concern is on the City website.

With the snow on hold, snow removal is planned for this weekend.