Winter Maintenance Review

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  Trapped Every Morning

  by Matthew, almost 7 years ago

  I have a sidewalk through my driveway, so in the winter, the end of my driveway is a disaster thanks in part to the sidewalk plow.  I live on a main road, so I would expect the big road plows the come regularly, and I understand the build-up at the end of my driveway is going to happen.

  For the sidewalks, I clean my whole driveway, and the sidewalks of my house and neighbours on both sides, but the sidewalk plow always manages to dump a ton of snow (and dirt ripped up from my lawn) on my driveway.  And... Continue reading

  I have a sidewalk through my driveway, so in the winter, the end of my driveway is a disaster thanks in part to the sidewalk plow.  I live on a main road, so I would expect the big road plows the come regularly, and I understand the build-up at the end of my driveway is going to happen.

  For the sidewalks, I clean my whole driveway, and the sidewalks of my house and neighbours on both sides, but the sidewalk plow always manages to dump a ton of snow (and dirt ripped up from my lawn) on my driveway.  And they keep coming, well into the spring.  The sidewalk plow never stays on the sidewalk and just brings a mess from miles away.  I've been tempted so many times to just park in his way so I don't have to spend 30 minutes every morning with a pickaxe dislodging the ice.  If I didn't think I'd get a ticket, I would.

  I really think they come too often.  More resources should be dedicated to the side streets.
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  3rd party snowplow contractual agreements need work to better support residents

  by BryanM, almost 7 years ago

  Last year, my car was damaged by a contracted snowplow operator, VBN Paving. After submitting my claim to the City, they determined it was the 3rd party at fault and after that, was able to offer no assistance in getting the claim resolved, even after providing me with proof from their GIS that it was VBN Paving's equipment on my street. The contractor routinely ignored emails and request for updates and even denied the claim, even after the City declared they were the party to pursue the claim with. The current process needs to be changed to better support residents... Continue reading

  Last year, my car was damaged by a contracted snowplow operator, VBN Paving. After submitting my claim to the City, they determined it was the 3rd party at fault and after that, was able to offer no assistance in getting the claim resolved, even after providing me with proof from their GIS that it was VBN Paving's equipment on my street. The contractor routinely ignored emails and request for updates and even denied the claim, even after the City declared they were the party to pursue the claim with. The current process needs to be changed to better support residents whose property is damaged by contractors hired by the City. There is no oversight or protection in place at this time to assist residents and there is no level of service requirement for contractors with respect to timelines on responding to residents as part of the claims process. It was a frustrating experience as a resident. If you want to look at levels of service, look at levels of CUSTOMER SERVICE as well.
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  Rouge street Plowing doesn't exist

  by Stephen Reid, almost 7 years ago

  It seems that the residents who live at the bottom of Rouge Street and Dryden court are not a priority to Markham plows.  I think I saw a plow twice last winter.   Rouge street is a narrow street to start with because of it's age and once the snow comes it becomes a single lane with huge ruts of ice.   I saw one grader last winter and a small 1 ton with a plow.  The side walk plow makes it even worse when they push the balance of the snow back onto the street making things worse. It would be... Continue reading

  It seems that the residents who live at the bottom of Rouge Street and Dryden court are not a priority to Markham plows.  I think I saw a plow twice last winter.   Rouge street is a narrow street to start with because of it's age and once the snow comes it becomes a single lane with huge ruts of ice.   I saw one grader last winter and a small 1 ton with a plow.  The side walk plow makes it even worse when they push the balance of the snow back onto the street making things worse. It would be better to keep the sidewalk plow off the street and to use the road plow to push all of the snow as far back as possible or a loader to push it all to the end.   I end up plowing the street when it gets really bad especially in front of my driveway.   

  SR
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  Past Season

  by Home@Markham, almost 7 years ago

  Snow plowing service on my court was less than satisfactory this past season. When we eventually did get snow removal, it was often very sloppy and incomplete. For example, the loop at the end of the court was often not completely plowed, leaving a ridge or large areas that were not cleared. In the main stretch, only a single path was plowed in the middle of the road instead of plowing closer to the curbs to provide for two way traffic. This was done even though cars were not parked on the road. Speaking of parked cars during snow removal... Continue reading

  Snow plowing service on my court was less than satisfactory this past season. When we eventually did get snow removal, it was often very sloppy and incomplete. For example, the loop at the end of the court was often not completely plowed, leaving a ridge or large areas that were not cleared. In the main stretch, only a single path was plowed in the middle of the road instead of plowing closer to the curbs to provide for two way traffic. This was done even though cars were not parked on the road. Speaking of parked cars during snow removal, I suggest the City do a better job of continuously communicating the bylaw to residents during the season, and going out to enforce it. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.
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  Leverage weather data and snowplow sensors to more efficiently plow our roads

  by Canuck, almost 7 years ago

  I recently heard about an interesting pilot project in Vaughan whereby they used weather data and software to more efficiently deploy when to salt their roads. They were able to reduce the amount of salt they used by utilising some data science. 

  I also think the Markham could apply the same intelligence to its snowplowing efficiency. Not all roads need the same level of snowplowing attention. As an example, 7.5CM may not be that tough to navigate it its a flat road; however, in the case of my road that has quite a steep grade it can often become impassable... Continue reading

  I recently heard about an interesting pilot project in Vaughan whereby they used weather data and software to more efficiently deploy when to salt their roads. They were able to reduce the amount of salt they used by utilising some data science. 

  I also think the Markham could apply the same intelligence to its snowplowing efficiency. Not all roads need the same level of snowplowing attention. As an example, 7.5CM may not be that tough to navigate it its a flat road; however, in the case of my road that has quite a steep grade it can often become impassable with 5+CM of compacted snow. Why not make snow plow routes more variable and targeted toward the more difficult roads that are more susceptible to snow based upon gradient, school areas, parks, etc.
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  Snow Removal Needs Improvement

  by Catherine, almost 7 years ago

  I  want to start by saying that the crews that remove the snow have a thankless job and do it well.  My concerns are about the city's policies pertaining to snow removal.

  I live on a street that for years was "local" and got almost no snow removal.  Unless enough snow fell the plow did not come by.  So, we would get repeated snow falls of a less than 7.5 cm and each layer of snow would build up on the layer below and be compressed by the cars and turned into a skating rink.  We received no salt or... Continue reading

  I  want to start by saying that the crews that remove the snow have a thankless job and do it well.  My concerns are about the city's policies pertaining to snow removal.

  I live on a street that for years was "local" and got almost no snow removal.  Unless enough snow fell the plow did not come by.  So, we would get repeated snow falls of a less than 7.5 cm and each layer of snow would build up on the layer below and be compressed by the cars and turned into a skating rink.  We received no salt or sand.

  We are now a secondary road so that has at least improved.  However, what has remained constant is that the plow clears the centre of the road wherever there is a curve and thus, our driveway becomes about 4' - 6' longer in the winter.  Forcing us to have to shovel the road as well as our driveway.  This extra pile of snow on the road stops the melting snow from flowing to the drain, causing it to back-up and form ice at the end of the driveways.

  During a freezing rain event, there was no salt put down.  I stopped at a stop sign and then when I gently pressed the gas to make a left hand turn I slid on the ice for more than 100 yards.  When I contacted the city, rather than do anything about the road conditions, I was then berated and told that the laws of physics would not have let me slide on the ice this way, and instead, I was an irresponsible driver.

  The windrow at the end of our driveway has been so large and so compressed that we have had to use garden spades and an axe to cut through it.  While we are relatively fit adults, we should not have to spend the night using an axe to cut through the ice the city has piled in our driveway so that we can bget our cars in.

  I am happy to see that there are two public meetings scheduled to discuss winter snow maintenance.  However, both meetings are schedule for weekdays and will occur during normal working hours.  This ensures that those of us who would like to attend are not able to.  I have to assume that the City was trying to make sure that any negative feedback on this issue would be limited.  They can have a low turnout and then say that it would appear that Markham residents have nothing to say about this issue, when if fact, they have designed the process to limit comment.

  I was born and raised in a small village in the north and they have better snow removal than Markham.  I lived for several years in North York, including during the great snowfall when the army was called out, and the plows cleared the snow and windrows faster than Markham.

  This is Canada.  We get snow for several months of the year.  Why we have to have a debate about snow removal every year is beyond me.  It needs to be done, so budget for it.
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  Recurring problems with winter maintenance on Mill Race Court.

  by Peter, almost 7 years ago

  The performance of the City of Markham's sub contractor responsible for plowing Mill Race Court was awful. I reported this earlier this year  but never had my complaint acknowledged by the city. Check this out, you have a record of it. Poor winter maintenance has been a problem in the past on our street. Several years ago I complained about snow removal which led to a follow up  conversation with the local (Crupi?) supervisor and the problem was dealt with.  The problem returned this past winter and my suspicion is that the driver/operator who had our route over the past... Continue reading

  The performance of the City of Markham's sub contractor responsible for plowing Mill Race Court was awful. I reported this earlier this year  but never had my complaint acknowledged by the city. Check this out, you have a record of it. Poor winter maintenance has been a problem in the past on our street. Several years ago I complained about snow removal which led to a follow up  conversation with the local (Crupi?) supervisor and the problem was dealt with.  The problem returned this past winter and my suspicion is that the driver/operator who had our route over the past few years had retired. His replacement lacked the skill/experience to deal with a street like ours. Clearly their-your crews are not properly trained to deal with streets like Mill Race Court which is, as the name suggests, a dead end court.  I live at the very south end of the Court so I get the worst of it when we receive a bad plowing job. Starting with the problem I dealt with several years ago, after every snow fall the  (then) driver would take the snow from the north end of our street and push it into a pile it at the foot of my driveway. The Dump Truck/Plows rigs are  too big for the job and in the hands of an inexperienced operator.  These big vehicles are not nimble enough to easily do the three point turn required to re-position the snow to one of the large empty spaces that flank my driveway. The Crupi Supervisor back then worked with the driver and service improved.  This year instead of plowing the snow onto the wide boulevards between me and my neighbors, the driver (in 2 north to south forward-reverse runs)  stopped plowing in the middle of the circular section of the court leaving a ridge of snow that blocked 3 driveways. So, this past year, not only did I need to clear the end of my driveway, it was necessary to use my snowblower to clear a path through the ridge of snow left by the snowplow on the north part of the circular section of the Court in order to reach the cleared part of the street.  At 63 this is more effort than I need to expend for something the city is well paid for. There is nothing wrong with my my health but am well aware, as are you, that every winter heart attacks are suffered by people both older and younger than me after the heavy physical exertion required to clear 2 - 3 or 4 foot snow drifts.  Also, there is also now way that emergency vehicles could easily access the houses at the end of the court in the state it was left after the poor job done by your subcontractor after heavy snow. So why don't you make sure that the right equipment is provided for streets like ours? Why not assure that the subcontractor has the right equipment/people/training to do the job? Lastly why wasn't my complaint acknowledged by the City?  I am just as angry about this as amateurish job done on our street.  
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  Dead-end streets deserve more rapid attention

  by skalmuk, almost 7 years ago

  I live on a dead-end street and our street is often not plowed for several hours (and sometimes more than a day) after other "local" streets are plowed. I understand that special equipment is required to clear the parking spaces in the middle of our court, but it would be helpful if a standard plow could at least clear the majority of the road so that we could get in and out. If it's a matter of man-power, I'd suggest diverting some of the sidewalk plowing crews -- the sidewalks are usually plowed several times before our road is addressed.

  I live on a dead-end street and our street is often not plowed for several hours (and sometimes more than a day) after other "local" streets are plowed. I understand that special equipment is required to clear the parking spaces in the middle of our court, but it would be helpful if a standard plow could at least clear the majority of the road so that we could get in and out. If it's a matter of man-power, I'd suggest diverting some of the sidewalk plowing crews -- the sidewalks are usually plowed several times before our road is addressed.
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  Great Winter Service

  almost 7 years ago

  Thanks to all the staff who helped to clear the snow from our streets this winter. - A Markham Resident

  Thanks to all the staff who helped to clear the snow from our streets this winter. - A Markham Resident
• Share Thanks a lot but please plow the smaller streets and courts too overnight. on Facebook Share Thanks a lot but please plow the smaller streets and courts too overnight. on Twitter Share Thanks a lot but please plow the smaller streets and courts too overnight. on Linkedin Email Thanks a lot but please plow the smaller streets and courts too overnight. link

  Thanks a lot but please plow the smaller streets and courts too overnight.

  almost 7 years ago

  Niloufer Engineer (Facebook) - Thanks a lot but please plow the smaller streets and courts too overnight. We also have to get to work or miss a day's pay as today. It happens each year and a quicker response to smaller streets will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

  Reply from City of Markham (Facebook) - Plows are dispatched early today at 5:30am. All roads will be plowed but it will take time. The progress of road and sidewalk plows can be viewed via Winter Maintenance App on the City’s website under Winter Road Services.

  Niloufer Engineer (Facebook) - Thanks a lot but please plow the smaller streets and courts too overnight. We also have to get to work or miss a day's pay as today. It happens each year and a quicker response to smaller streets will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

  Reply from City of Markham (Facebook) - Plows are dispatched early today at 5:30am. All roads will be plowed but it will take time. The progress of road and sidewalk plows can be viewed via Winter Maintenance App on the City’s website under Winter Road Services.