Each winter, the Town of Blind River provides snow removal services throughout the town. We strive to clear roads and sidewalks as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Snow removal

During snowstorms, we prioritize snow and ice removal on high traffic roads. If your street hasn't been plowed, please be patient. Snow removal can be slowed by several things, such as:

  • Equipment breakdown
  • Intensity of a snowstorm
  • Returning to high priority streets
  • Vehicles parked on streets

Winter street parking

It is illegal to park overnight on town streets from November 1 to March 31.

Please do not park on the street during a snowstorm. This makes it easier for our crews to remove snow as quickly and safely as possible. Parked vehicles slow snow our removal crews. Parked cars may be fined and towed at the owner's expense.

You can also help our snow removal crews by:

  • Clearing snow and ice from municipal sidewalks near your property
  • Keeping catch basins clear of snow and ice for proper drainage during the spring thaw
  • Keeping fire hydrants clear and visible

Winter road maintenance

During the winter, we maintain our roads in snow packed conditions. We use a mixture of sand and salt in more hazardous areas, such as hills, curves, intersections and railway crossings.

Winter road safety tips

To protect your and your family during the winter:

  • Ensure your children don't play in snowbanks near the road, as cars and snowplows can appear suddenly and you may not see them
  • Be wary of black ice; a thin transparent layer of ice on roads
  • Walk on sidewalks if possible. If it's not possible, walk against traffic on the left side of the road and wear reflective clothing at night
  • When driving, stay far back from snowplows, sanders, loaders and tractors since they may back up with little warning
  • Never push snow from your driveway onto the road or across the road, as this can create unsafe driving conditions and can lead to fine of $75

Spring street sweeping

Once all the snow and ice has melted from the road shoulders and curbs in the spring, we begin sweeping roads and sidewalks of the leftover sand from the winter season. This is to prevent sand from entering our catch basins and water courses, which is more expensive and time consuming to remove. We usually start street sweeping in May and begin with the downtown core and other high traffic main streets.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

View our frequently asked questions about snow removal and winter road maintenance in Blind River.

 Can plows minimize the amount of snow left at the bottom of my driveway?
Our work crews' priority is clearing the used portion of the road. The only place to move the snow is onto the boulevard, which includes driveways. As a result, snow left at the bottom of driveways is unavoidable.
 Why is there so much noise at night from snowplows?
Depending on the time of a storm event, we have no choice but to carry out overnight snow clearing operations. Nighttime operations are generally more efficient and ensure roads are ready for the morning rush hour.
 Why does my driveway get longer after my street is plowed?
As winter progresses, the width of the snowbanks sometimes encroach further onto the roadway. Snowbanks are pushed or blown away when the width of the road becomes significantly reduced.
 Why do I get more snow from plows on my corner lot than my neighbours?
Plow operators try their best to equally distribute snow by plowing it away from corner driveway entrances. A street corner typically receives more snow on the side and front of its yard where two roadways meet.
 Why are snow removal crews working when it is not snowing?
Snow removal involves much more than simply plowing roads when there is a storm. Crews must also remove the snow, so that it does not interfere with regular traffic and pedestrians. We remove or reduce snowbanks when they restrict sightlines or street and sidewalk widths. We also clear snowbanks to relieve trapped water on the roadway or sidewalk to create storage space for future snowfall.
 Why do I see snowplows scraping roads when there isn't much snow on the road?
We try to take advantage of milder temperature to return roads to bare pavement while limiting salt usage. This allows for a better surface to clear in the upcoming winter months. This also helps keep catch basins open to avoid flooding. If weather permits, we push snowbanks back to curbs to provide more driving width on the roadway and storage space for future snowfall. In the long term, this may also help in reducing the cost of snow removal.
 What can I do if a snowplow damaged my lawn?
Unfortunately, during winter maintenance, snowplows may causes lawn damage. If damage occurs, please contact us at 705-849-7586 or email us at al.may@blindriver.ca. We send out crews in the early spring to investigate and repair damaged areas with topsoil and seed.
 Why does the municipality only clear certain roadside ditches of snow in the spring?
We clear roadside ditches at the outlet end of the ditch system to provide drainage for the spring melt. We prioritize critical areas and attempt to minimize the risk of flooding. These clearing operations are not designed to drain all ditches of spring melt water.

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