We maintain more than 1,250 lane kilometers of roads, including Regional roads throughout the city and some sidewalks. 

Winter Servicing of Priority Roads

Snow falls of less than 8 cm trigger winter servicing on roads that are considered to be a priority.

These include major roads that directly support vital transportation needs such as: public transit, school bus service, emergency services (police, ambulance and fire vehicles), as well as commercial vehicles.

Roads with steeper hills and curves can be more challenging to navigate under winter conditions. 

These roads are winter serviced more frequently and are treated regularly with salt to achieve bare and wet conditions throughout much of the winter season.

Snow Event

The City will formally declare a Snow Event when snow accumulation is forecasted to be more than 8cm.   This triggers an on-street parking ban and all parked vehicles must be removed from the road to enable road winter servicing by crews.

When a Snow Event is declared, all major roads are serviced, typically while snow is still falling.  When the snow fall has substantially ended, the remaining streets, laneways, courts, and cul-de-sacs are serviced by crews and contractors in accordance with Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards. 

Note that most residential streets, laneways, courts, and cul-de-sacs will not be regularly treated with salt to mitigate impacts to the environment and the drinking water in our community.   Most residential streets will remain snow-covered throughout much of the winter season. These are typically low volume, low speed roads and drivers are expected to drive to the road conditions to safely navigate these roads.

Some portions of the road network are maintained through contracted services and may not have a City Logo, and work may not occur simultaneously with other area streets (in-particular: cul-de-sacs and some laneways).

Freezing Rain

When freezing rain occurs, the city will respond typically with salt treatment to melt or prevent the formation of ice.   Depending on the severity and duration of the freezing rain, salting services may extend to all roads in the city.  However, initial treatments will focus on priority roads as described above.

Significant Weather Event

When the city declares a Significant Weather Event (SWE),  it indicates more severe weather conditions are being forecasted that will delay full servicing of roads and sidewalks and additional time is needed to achieve normal winter service levels on roads, bike lanes, trails, and sidewalks.  

This can include any or all of the following:

  • More than 20 cm of snow within 24 hours
  • Ice accumulation of more than 20 mm
  • High winds greater than 60km/h reducing visibility

When an SWE is active, the public is encouraged to avoid any unnecessary travel (by vehicle, by bike, or on-foot). If travel is necessary, please allow additional time and take extra caution as roads, bike lanes, sidewalks, and trails may continue to be a challenge due to winter conditions and may continue for an extended period of time.

Pre-Treatment

The city may pre-treat select sections of road with liquid de-icing materials and/or salt ahead of forecasted snow or conditions that may result in icing on priority roads, including bridge decks.   This work is done based on forecasted weather conditions on a case-by-case basis.

Subscribe for alertsand stay up-to-date when a Snow Event or Significant Weather Event (SWE) is declared.

Road Winter Servicing Map

Use the interactive map below to look up your address and see what level of winter maintenance service your street receives.

View the map in fullscreen.

Snow Event On-Street Parking Ban

During a Snow Event, when eight centimeters of snow or more has fallen, parking is prohibited on all streets until the Snow Event is over. This allows us to clear roads quickly and safely. Vehicles left on the road may be ticketed or towed.

Winter Parking Restrictions

Outside of a declared Snow Event, parking is not permitted on city streets from January 1 -March 15, between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. even if there is no snow.

You can request an exemption to this restriction for a maximum of 15 days per licence plate, per calendar year.
Visit our parking page to learn more about parking or to request an exemption.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 As a resident, what are my responsibilities when it snows?
When snow starts to accumulate, please be a good neighbour:
  • Don’t shovel snow back onto the road or over catch basins
  • On waste collection days, don’t place your garbage or recycling on the snow bank or road
  • Remind children not to play or climb on snowbanks
  • Ensure your fire hydrant or gas meter is clear and accessible in case of an emergency
  • If a Snow Event is declared, don’t park on any city street and help our plows clear roads safely and quickly
  • Don’t park on city streets overnight Jan. 1- Mar 15 between 2:30-6a.m. unless you have a parking exemption from the City
 Why do plows leave snow at the end of my driveway or sidewalk?
The city's goal is to keep roads open for all, including for commerce and emergency vehicles. The snow from the road needs to be pushed to the side of the road to the boulevard space and, unfortunately, includes driveway entrances. 

Clearing the windrow of snow at the end of driveway entrances remain the responsibility of the property owner under current city winter service levels.  The city does not currently have the equipment or resources to clear driveway windrows.

Cambridge Council has supported addressing snow windrows between the road and sidewalk where no snow storage exists (i.e. less than 25cm of boulevard).  In these locations, city crews will maintain sidewalks as well as periodically remove the windrows of snow.
 How do I report a concern with snow maintenance on my street?
During active winter weather and throughout the period of time that a Snow Event and/or Significant Weather Event has been declared, crews and equipment are deployed and actively addressing road conditions based on priority and assigned routes.   Staff and management are not able to address individual concerns during this period.

Please do contact Service Cambridge 519-623-1340 after the end of a Snow Event or Significant Weather Event should there remain concerns with road conditions. 
 Why isn’t sand used more often instead of salt?

While sand can be effective in providing additional traction on roads that are icy and is a common and effective treatment for rural roads.  However, in urban environments, applying sand to the road results in significant negative impacts to the storm water system and receiving waters.   The City will utilize sand on a case-by-case basis when weather conditions (i.e. freezing rain) warrant the use of sand vs salt.
 Why doesn't the City apply salt on my street?
Due to environmental concerns and to protect the City's drinking water supply, we minimize the use of salt.

The application of salt is typically limited to priority road sections.
Why is there still snow on my residential street? 

As per the Highway Traffic Act, drivers are expected to maintain control of the vehicle and adjust according to weather conditions. 

Residential streets are typically low traffic volume and are less than 50 km/hr speed limit and travel distance is typically minimal.

As per Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards, roads are not expected to be free and clear of snow during the winter months.  

The City does provide higher service levels, including salting, on priority roads which will often result in bare/wet/dry roads on those priority roads. 

In the interest of minimizing negative impacts to drinking water and the environment, salt is not typically applied to residential streets and the roads will often remain with snow cover through the winter months.

Sidewalk Winter Maintenance

There are more than 650 km of sidewalks throughout the City of Cambridge.  Sidewalks and walkways are maintained in accordance with the Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards.

City Provided Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Services

The City plows and treats with salt and/or sand on specific sidewalks and walkways, including:

  • Sidewalks around City-owned property, such as community centres, parks, stormwater management facilities, natural areas. 
  • Sidewalks along regional roads (except within Business Improvement Areas).
  • Back-lot sidewalks: sidewalks that run along the back fence of properties
  • Curb-faced sidewalks (sidewalks next to the curb or with boulevards of less than 0.25 m).
  • Walkways between neighbourhoods (except those that have stairs or steep slopes).
  • Walkways to parks (ones that lead from the street to a park with a paved path and are winter maintained).

Property Owner Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Expectations

Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property within 36 hours of a snowfall ending.

If a complaint is received and a bylaw officer determines your sidewalk is not clear, you will receive a warning and/or infraction and, if not resolved, the City will clear the sidewalk via contracted services and send you a bill for the service.

Snow Removal Assistance

In partnership with Community Support Connections (CSC) the City of Cambridge offers:

  • A free Snow Removal Assistance Program for up to 50 residences whose occupants are both physically and financially unable to clear snow from their sidewalk and/or driveway apron.
  • A pay-for-service program. This program allows eligible residents to access full winter sidewalk and driveway snow services for a set fee. 

Contact CSC online or by calling (519) 772-8787 to learn more.

 

Sidewalk Winter Maintenance Map

The map below shows sidewalks that are the responsibility of property owners and those maintained by the City.

View the map in fullscreen.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

As a resident, what are my responsibilities when it snows?

When snow starts to accumulate, please be a good neighbour by:

  • Clearing snow and ice from your sidewalk within 36 hours of the snowfall ending
  • Don’t shovel snow back onto the road or over catch basins
  • On waste collection days, don’t place your garbage or recycling on the snow bank or road
  • Remind children not to play or climb on snowbanks
  • Ensure your fire hydrant or gas meter is clear and accessible in case of an emergency
  • If a Snow Event is declared, don’t park on any city street and help our plows clear roads safely and quickly
  • Don’t park on city streets overnight Jan. 1- Mar 15 between 2:30-6a.m. unless you have a parking exemption from the City.

A sidewalk in my neighbourhood is not shoveled. What can I do?

During active winter weather and throughout the period of time that a Snow Event and/or Significant Weather Event has been declared, crews and equipment are deployed and actively addressing road conditions based on priority and assigned routes.   Staff and management are not able to address individual concerns during this period.

If it has been more than 36 hours since the end of snowfall and you come across a sidewalk that is not cleared of snow or ice, you can report it by calling  Service Cambridge 519-623-1340.

Why can't the City remove snow from all sidewalks?

The City does not have the staffing or equipment to winter maintain all sidewalks in the City.  Expanding winter services to more sidewalks require increased taxation rates.   This is a decision of Council in future budget deliberations.
Who removes snow from bus stops?

Grand River Transit (GRT) is responsible for removing snow from bus stops. Please call 519-585-7555 to report an issue.