Changes to Markham's winter operations deliver results

New yard and salt barns address growth and response times in east end of city

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 16, 2019
Heidi Riedner

One of the fastest response times in the GTA may have a lot to do with a high approval rating for the city’s winter road operations, but that hasn’t stopped it from making two improvements Mayor Frank Scarpitti says will make a “noticeable” difference for area residents.

They include a new yard that will improve the time it takes to mobilize and plow roads in the east end of Markham, as well as the addition of new salt barns at the city’s central yard to address the growing area.

“With the new investments in our winter operations facilities, you will notice a difference this winter and even more so when the new yard is operational within the next 18 months,” Scarpitti said during a press conference at the operations works department site on Miller Avenue Nov 26.

He also announced the results of a recent Ipsos survey that showed 76 per cent of residents were satisfied with the city’s overall winter maintenance.

“The majority of our residents (79 per cent) are also satisfied with our service levels, that we are plowing roads within a reasonable time and are meeting the needs of our growing community,” he added.

The city plows 2,100 km of road -- the equivalent of travelling from Toronto to Montreal four times -- when there is a snow storm, beginning when snow accumulation reaches 7.5 cm and usually completed within 12 to 16 hours.

The city also clears 1,100 km of sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall reaching 5 cm or more, with those near schools and bus stops taking priority.

In the event of a severe storm warning, residents are advised to check the city’s website, markham.ca, Twitter or Facebook pages.

Want to know when your street will be plowed? Visit markham.ca/winter.