What has people's experience been with sidewalk clearing/plowing in their areas?
I live on a collector road in the west end and the last time sidewalk plows cleared the way was Feb 13, the Thurs before the weekend storm, and the sidewalks are in horrendous condition, and no intersection along the road is cleared for pedestrians. I'm on the young side, able bodied, and wore hefty winter boots today and even I found it challenging.
I've noticed from checking PlowTO that streets in my vicinity show a sidewalk plow has been down them, but seeing the streets in person tells a different story, one where clearly the sidewalk plow just went down the middle of the road and not once touched a sidewalk... I know it was a major event and all the complicating factors, but I finally emailed my councillor today in hopes they can get something expedited. I read in an
interview with Councillor Matlow in Toronto Life about snow removal that the current contract runs until 2029. Brutal :/
In area, also on a collector, the sidewalks have been relatively well clears, the bus stops partially, but there have been some very problematic spots, where the sidewalk plow literally missed the sidewalk at a corner and went on the road instead, so the two sidewalks intersect in a pile of mush.
I was out yesterday as well going, on one stop to the NF on Broadview......which
@AlbertC dutifully shamed into proper maintenance of their entrance area. Meant to thank him for that. But I digress, the sidewalks between the station and the store were generally adequately cleared, but narrow, and if garbage bins were out.......a sideways shuffle.
Danforth near me is hit n' miss. Some bits good, some slippery/mushy.
I know someone else near Coxwell (on Danforth) took a fall on black ice.
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As to things as they are. Generally, removal on main roads is by private contractors, but City staff are doing bike lanes, side streets, and a number of other bits as well.
City crews are doing the outright snow banks removals as well, I think.
Its definitely city equipment.
I'm told they expect near 100% clearance in about 2 1/2 more weeks.
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On how things could be.
1) Staff are aware this has not gone as well as it should have, and that people are irritated with the response level.
2) There will be a major report coming on options to be better as soon as next year, but existing contracts are an issue, lag time on new equipment purchases, and of course, budget, both for equipment and more people on stand by for snow operations.
3) There a host of different options, it does need to be said that most years, the City does not require Montreal's level of snow removal operation, which is great btw. But its also expensive. So there is a balance to be struck.
Other options include looking at snow melt systems for strategic locations, bus stops, particularly on hills, in front of hospitals/LTC, and in high volume locations. Curbs and gutters on key roads, especially near intersections, and the like. I provided an estimate cost for that being introduced opportunistically in one thread or another..... Not cheap, but less than you might think.
A quote from a Globe article on Montreal's snow removal operations:
The city regularly receives delegations from as far away as Beijing to study its snow removal
www.theglobeandmail.com
