So it is snowing. Now what?

Crista Cooper
13 hours ago
2 min read

Snow Clearing in Hamilton

Winter Operations Update: Keeping Hamilton Safe & Accessible

Snow continues to fall across Hamilton, and as of early this morning, the City remains under a snow squall warning. Flurries are expected throughout the day and into the evening, and City crews have been fully engaged overnight to keep Hamilton moving.

The Roadway Maintenance team has been clearing Priority 1 routes through the night and is now completing cleanup while progressing into Class 3 residential streets. Sidewalk and transit stop crews began morning operations on designated routes, and contractors have been activated where needed to ensure timely cleanup. Staffing and equipment levels remain appropriate for the storm, and operations continue to adjust in real time according to Council-approved winter service levels.

What the City Clears During a Winter Event

Hamilton’s Winter Operations program is a large-scale, coordinated effort:

6,522 lane km of roads
885 km of sidewalks
414 km of on-street bike lanes
2,379 bus stops

The City follows the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (MMS) under the Municipal Act - and has enhanced service levels approved by Council, exceeding provincial requirements.

You can track plow and sidewalk clearing progress at any time:

Road plow tracker: www.hamilton.ca/plowtracker
Sidewalk clearing tracker: www.hamilton.ca/sidewalksnowclearing

Sidewalk Clearing - What Residents Must Do

Under the Snow & Ice By-law (03-296), residents and property owners must clear snow and ice from the sidewalk beside their property within 24 hours after the end of a snow event.

This includes:

Removing snow and ice from sidewalks and corner ramps
Preventing ice from overhanging roofs or structures
Avoiding placing snow on the road or boulevard

The City clears approximately 397 km of sidewalks; the remainder must be maintained by residents.

What Residents Can Do to Help Keep Routes Clear

A few small actions make a big difference:

Place garbage and recycling bins on the curb, not on the road
Park vehicles in driveways when possible to allow full plow access
Shovel early and often, especially during prolonged snowfall

These steps help plows and sidewalk machines complete their routes more effectively.

Why is the Sidewalk Salt Green?

You may notice green-coloured salt on sidewalks and pathways. This is intentional:

It is a magnesium-treated rock salt, more effective at lower temperatures
It reduces cleanup and minimizes leftover material
It is more environmentally responsible than traditional salt/sand mixes

How Long Will Clearing Take?

Crews will continue working until all streets, sidewalks, and transit stops are cleared and safe. During heavy or prolonged snowfall, this may take additional time and multiple passes.

Who to Contact With Questions or Concerns

Plowing & Snow-Clearing Questions

📞 905-546-2489 (Customer Contact Centre)
✉️ askCITY@hamilton.ca (for non-urgent requests)
Residents are encouraged to check route priorities and the Plow Tracker before reporting issues.