With snow falling on Tuesday, the City of Windsor is reassuring residents it is ready. However, it has some reminders too.
Property owners are reminded to clear the sidewalks in front of their home or business. That is not the City's responsibility. Also, do not shovel the snow onto the street. That is unsafe for drivers, as well as being a violation of the Highway Traffic Act and City of Windsor bylaws.
Snow on sidewalks must be cleared within 12 hours in residential areas, and within four hours in front of businesses.
The City still needs volunteers for its Snow Angel program. There are plenty of elderly and disabled residents that could use help clearing snow.
Drivers are asked to be patient if they are following a snow plow or salt truck. They typically travel at just 40 km/h. Following too close behind them can impede visibility and leave vehicles at risk of being hit by snow, salt, and rocks.
Major roads in Windsor, including the E.C. Row Expressway, Huron Church Road, and Riverside Drive, have already been treated with brine. The brine makes it more difficult for snow to stick to the road's surface.
Once accumulation reaches five centimetres, city plows and contractors will begin clearing the roads. It takes, on average, about six hours to plow and salt roads on each route depending on the time of day and traffic flow.
Only if accumulation reaches ten centimetres will city plows move into residential areas.
Environment Canada's forecast Tuesday morning called for between two and four centimetres, but the City is prepared for a snowfall accumulation of eight centimetres by the end of the day.