Winter Maintenance Status
During snow storms, Markham’s Winter Maintenance App* will show the progress of road and sidewalk plows in Markham. Residents can watch as snow clearing efforts start with primary roads and then move to secondary roads, local roads, and sidewalks to help keep Markham moving.
Road Classification and Snow Removal Standards
Our roads are plowed, salted or sanded based on a roads classification system which prioritizes all roads maintained by the City of Markham. Roads not maintained by the City of Markham are maintained by the organization that owns the road. For a listing of which organization owns which road in Markham, view our Roads e-Map.
Arterial
Arterial roads carry large volumes of traffic. Examples include transit and emergency routes for ambulance, fire, and police.
Arterial Roads Snow Removal Standard – Roads are salted and/or plowed until pavement is bare 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout the winter season.
Primary
Primary roads distribute traffic to both City and Regional arterial roads. They provide access to schools, churches, community centers and industrial/commercial areas. Examples of primary roads: Bur Oak Avenue, Wootten Way, Carlton Road, Denison Street, John Street.
Primary Road Snow Removal Standard – Roads are salted and/or plowed until pavement is bare 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout the winter season.
Secondary
Secondary roads distribute traffic onto to primary roads. They include roads with extreme hills, curves and access points.
Secondary Road Snow Removal Standard – Roads are salted and/or plowed as required until the centre width of the pavement is bare 7 AM to 6 PM, 7 days per week throughout the winter season.
Local Roads & Lanes
Local roads generally carry very low volumes of traffic and are not intended to carry through traffic. Lanes provide access to garages and parking spaces at the rear of homes and business.
Local Roads & Rear Lanes Snow Removal Standard – It is acceptable for local roads and lanes to be snow-packed. Plowing will be carried out only when snow accumulations reach or exceed 7.5 centimetres. If the snowfall is continuing, plowing will begin once snowfall ceases or accumulations exceed 12 centimetres. Normal plowing operations may take approximately 16 hours. Snow plowing will continue until all local roads are completed.
Cul-de-sacs are plowed to ensure access by residents, service and emergency vehicles is maintained. A follow-up cleaning using front-end loaders clears the outside boundaries of the cul-de-sac, piling snow toward the centre of the circle. This snow remains in the centre until it exceeds the storage capacity of the cul-de-sac, at which point it will be removed by City crews. City staff monitor this on an ongoing basis throughout the season.
Windrow Removal Service
This is a service available to qualified registered residents only.
The City of Markham will clear the right side portion of snow windrows when facing the road (one car width only) on all roads following a 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) snow fall. This clearing is for the base of driveways of qualified residents who are over 60 years of age or have a disability. The path cleared will equal the width of a standard vehicle. The windrow removal service will be completed within eight (8) hours of the street snowplow passing the resident’s driveway. For more information on the service and whether you qualify, visit Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program (see below) or download the Snow Windrow Removal Application (PDF).
Sidewalks
All sidewalks are plowed within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall when accumulations reach 5cm or more. Priority service is provided according to the road classification, beginning with sidewalks along arterial and primary roads, followed by secondary and residential sidewalks. Special attention is given to sidewalks near schools and bus stops. Plowing and sanding may take approximately 14 hours to complete.
Municipal Community Centres and Parking Lots
Appropriate material (for example salt, sand or de-icing material) will be applied to designated areas. Staff review weather conditions, and consider sustainable and environmental factors in determining which material is most appropriate. Plowing will begin when there is a minimum of 5 centimetres of snow cover.
Bus Stops
York Region Transit is responsible for maintaining all bus stop shelters. Please direct all concerns to the York Region Call Centre at 905.762.2100.
Super Mailboxes
Canada Post is responsible for the general upkeep, litter control and snow clearing of all mailboxes and their immediate surrounding area. Please direct all related issues to Canada Post at 1.800.267.1177.