Winter Maintenance
Fun Fact: In the County of Brant, we have over 2200 lane kilometres to plow, salt and sand! In a snow or ice event, the winter maintenance vehicles may need to clear and/or treat the same roads several times. 2200 kilometres is equivalent to driving from Paris, Ontario to the tip of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia or from Burford, Ontario to Winnipeg, Manitoba!
Ever wonder why certain roads are cleared before others during a messy winter storm? The County of Brant is required to follow the Ontario regulation called the 'Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways'. The standard outlines which roads must be addressed first and within a specific time frame. The roads that are addressed first include the roads used as major travel routes, have the most amount of traffic and higher rates of speed. Examples include Highway 53 and County Road 18.
During a winter storm, we ask for the public's understanding and cooperation. Please be patient. Avoid non-essential travel when road conditions are poor and never pass a snowplow. We want everyone to get home safely.
Learn about winter maintenance
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Highway Classes |
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The roads used as major travel routes, have the most amount of traffic and higher rates of speed are treated and/or cleared first during a weather event. Examples include Highway 53 and County Road 18. Fun Fact #1: Highway 403 and Highway 24 (north and south) are maintained by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). Fun Fact #2: The County of Brant does not have any Highway Class 1 roads. View the map of County roads to discover what Highway Class your road is. |
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Probable Ice Formation on Roads |
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If the County of Brant determines that it is likely that ice formation will occur on a roadway, the County will treat the roadway, if practicable, to prevent ice formation within the time set out below:
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Icy Roads |
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Once the County of Brant has become aware that the roadway is icy, the standard for treating icy roadways is within the time set out below:
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Snow on Roads |
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Once the County of Brant becomes aware that there is snow accumulation on the roadway and the depth of the snow is greater than set out below, the County will deploy winter maintenance vehicles, as soon as practicable, to address the snow accumulation. After the snow accumulation has ended, the County will address the snow accumulation to reduce the snow to a depth less than or equal to the depth and within the time frame, as set out below.
If the depth of snow accumulation on a roadway is less than or equal to the depth set out in section above, the roadway is deemed to be in a state of repair. The County will provide a minimum lane width of three metres for each lane or the actual lane width, whichever is less. On Class 4 and Class 5 highways with two lanes, the County will provide a total width of at least five metres. The depth of snow accumulation on a roadway may be determined by a County employee, agent or contractor, whose responsibilities include one or more of the following:
The depth of snow accumulation on a roadway and lane width may be determined by:
Addressing snow accumulation on a roadway includes:
This standard does not apply to that portion of the roadway if it is:
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Significant Weather Events and Hazards |
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A “Significant Weather Event” means an approaching or occurring weather hazard has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways within the County of Brant. A “Weather Hazard”, as determined by Environment Canada, meets the criteria for the issuance of an alert under its Public Weather Alerting Program. The County of Brant may declare a 'Significant Weather Event' at any time and at its sole discretion. When the County of Brant declares the beginning or the end of a ‘Significant Weather Event', the County will:
If the County declares a ‘Significant Weather Event' relating to snow accumulation, the standard for addressing snow accumulation on roadways does not apply. The County's role is to monitor the weather and when deemed appropriate by the County, deploy resources to address snow accumulation on roadways. Once the County has declared the end of a ‘Significant Weather Event', the County will address snow accumulation on roadways as per the Minimum Maintenance Standards. |
Important reminders
- It is illegal to deposit snow from your property onto the road
- If a fire hydrant near your property is buried by drifts or snow banks, dig it out or contact the County of Brant.
- The snowplow operators clear the snow as far back as feasible and any remaining snow is to be cleared by the boxholder. Should a mailbox be damaged by snow or ice being cleared by a snowplow, it will be the responsibility of the boxholder to repair/replace the mailbox. Should a mailbox be damaged by physical contact with a snowplow, the County of Brant will assess the damage, and if appropriate, repair or replace the mailbox.
- Parked cars are a snowplow operator's biggest obstacle. If your street has not been plowed, please do not park on it. Vehicles cannot be parked in the same spot for more than 24 hours. Several areas in the county have time-limited parking. Parking time limits are posted in these areas, and vehicles parked over the time limits are subject to parking tickets.
- We understand your frustration when you clear your driveway and then a snowplow comes by and leaves a pile of snow; a windrow. Unfortunately, it is impossible to clear snow from the roads without leaving one.
Mailbox Damage
The snowplow operators clear the snow as far back as feasible and any remaining snow is to be cleared by the boxholder.
- Should a mailbox be damaged by snow or ice being cleared by a snowplow, it will be the responsibility of the boxholder to repair/replace the mailbox.
- Should a mailbox be damaged by physical contact with a snowplow, the County of Brant will assess the damage, and if appropriate, repair or replace the mailbox.
View the Canada Post Rural Mailbox Guidelines webpage.