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Snow clearing roads and sidewalks in Burlington, Ontario
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Burlington clears major roads before residential streets. Clearing targets start after snowfall ends, and large or continuing storms can extend the work.
Key information
Burlington clears major roads before residential streets. Clearing targets start after snowfall ends, and large or continuing storms can extend the work.
On this page
At a glance
| Task or rule | What to know |
|---|---|
| Primary and secondary roads | Plowing begins at 5 cm |
| Residential roads | Plowing begins at 7.5 cm after higher-priority roads |
| Sidewalk trigger | 5 cm |
| Road target | Within 24 hours after snowfall ends |
| Sidewalk and high-volume off-road path targets | 48 hours and 72 hours respectively |
Read the priority map
The city's road priority map identifies primary roads in red, secondary roads in blue and residential roads in green. A road's colour describes its plowing priority, not whether a plow has visited today.
Crews may return to major roads during a storm to keep traffic routes passable. The 24-hour road target runs from the end of snowfall. It is not a promise to clear every street 24 hours after the first flakes.
Sidewalks and off-road paths
Sidewalk clearing starts at five centimetres, with a 48-hour target after snowfall ends. Only high-volume off-road paths receive the 72-hour clearing service described in the plan. Do not assume every park path is winter maintained.
Snowfalls exceeding 30 centimetres can push sidewalk clearing beyond 48 hours. The plan's treatment summary also groups sidewalks, multi-use paths and transit stops with work after roads, potentially up to 72 hours. The dedicated sidewalk target and the broader route grouping should not be read as a live completion guarantee.
Why roads get different treatments
Before a storm, brine can reduce snow and ice bonding to pavement. Salt is used when surfaces freeze. Below minus 10 Celsius, an additive helps salt work; sand improves grip where salt is less effective.
Residential roads with more than 7.5 centimetres are plowed and sanded. Primary and secondary roads with more than five centimetres are plowed and salted, with sand as an alternative. Conditions determine the actual treatment.
Questions and answers
When do major roads get plowed?
The plan sets a five-centimetre trigger for primary and secondary roads.
When does my residential street get plowed?
At 7.5 centimetres, after primary and secondary plowing is complete.
Does the 24-hour clock start when snow begins?
No. The target is within 24 hours after snow stops falling.
Why did a plow return to a main road first?
The plan allows repeat work on major roads during changing conditions to keep those routes clear.
When does sidewalk clearing start?
At five centimetres of accumulated snow.
What is the normal sidewalk target?
Within 48 hours after snowfall ends, subject to weather and storm size.
Are all off-road paths cleared?
No. The plan specifies high-volume off-road paths, with a 72-hour target.
What happens after more than 30 centimetres?
Sidewalk work may take longer than 48 hours.
What is the liquid put on roads before a storm?
Brine is a salt-and-water mixture used to reduce snow and ice sticking to the road.
Does the priority map show a plow live?
No. It classifies roads by priority. Use the city's separate operational updates for current progress.