City of Brockville: Winter Road Maintenance and Salt Supply

Brockville – Across Ontario, municipalities, including Brockville, are experiencing impacts from a province-wide road salt shortage. Increased winter weather events, frequent freeze–thaw cycles, and supply and transportation constraints have significantly limited salt availability.

Due to the province-wide shortage and resulting allocation limits, we have been advised by our salt supplier that no additional salt deliveries will be available for the remainder of the winter season. This situation is not unique to Brockville and reflects the same challenges being experienced by municipalities across Ontario, as has been highlighted in recent media coverage.

Staff anticipated this possibility and prepared as best we could by building stockpiles earlier in the season; however, remaining supplies are now limited and being carefully managed. During a typical snow event, crews apply approximately 50 metric tonnes of salt within a 24-hour period. At this time, we have approximately 200 tonnes of salt remaining, along with 400 tonnes of salt/sand mix.

To help conserve remaining supplies and ensure materials last through the season, we have discontinued the use of straight salt and are now applying a salt/sand mix. Our sand supply remains in good condition.

What to expect for the remainder of the winter

With colder temperatures, residents should expect snow-packed road conditions rather than bare, wet pavement. Salt is less effective in colder weather, even under normal conditions, and these conditions are expected to continue for the remainder of the winter season.

Residents may notice that some roads and sidewalks take longer to reach bare pavement, particularly during extended or back-to-back winter events.

Crews will continue performing regular winter maintenance operations and applying a salt/sand mix during and after each winter weather event.

How residents can help

We ask residents to:

• Allow extra time when walking or driving and maintain safe distances
• Keep garbage and recycling bins off roadways and snowbanks. To help reduce the risk of spillage during snow cleanup, we encourage setting bins out after 5 a.m.
• Avoid pushing snow onto roads, sidewalks, or catch basins
• If there is a fire hydrant on your property, please help keep it clear of snow and ice to ensure quick access in an emergency.
• Avoid on-street parking during winter maintenance operations (A reminder that overnight on-street parking is prohibited from November 1 to March 31)

For more information:

• Winter parking
• Winter Maintenance Policy
• Report an issue or provide feedback

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to manage limited resources responsibly and work through challenging winter conditions.