Snow Removal: Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTIONS:
Why does the snowplow fill in end of my driveway?
How come I get more snow in my driveway than my neighbour?
I live on a cul-de-sac. Why hasn't the plow cleared the snow all the way to the curb?
ANSWERS:
Q: Why does the snowplow fill in end of my driveway?
A: Snowplows clear streets from the centre of the street to the curb. On residential streets, this results in snow being left across private driveways which cannot efficiently be prevented during street clearing operations. Please help the City keep winter control costs down by clearing — or arranging for someone else to clear — your driveway.
Q: How come I get more snow in my driveway than my neighbour?
A: Often, as a snowplow negotiates a corner or a bend in the street, the turning motion of the vehicle alters the amount of snow coming off the end of the plow resulting in a build-up of snow being unavoidably deposited in adjacent driveways.
Q: I live on a cul-de-sac. Why hasn't the plow cleared the snow all the way to the curb?
A: Newer sub-divisions have "mountable" or dropped curbs, which make it easy for builders to place driveways anywhere on a given lot — but also makes it difficult for snowplow operators to determine the edge of the curb. Night-time plowing and heavy weather make assessing the curb even more challenging. If an operator gets in too close, the plow can damage boulevards and lawns. Operators err on the side of caution.
