Winter Control and Safety

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.