Winter Control Information

Each winter season City staff work diligently to clear snow from City streets and sidewalks in an efficient and cost effective manner. The City of Pembroke Operations Department endeavors to provide consistent, reliable service as follows:

• Plow and treat (salt or sand) City streets in a prioritized order to allow traffic to flow safely and efficiently before, during and after a snow event.
  • Maintain City streets throughout the winter season in a cost effective manner, using advanced technologies, and materials.
  • Clear snow from prioritized City sidewalks in a systematic order so residents can walk safely during the winter months. Sidewalks are sanded and/or salted to help provide traction.

• During winter thaw events, staff work to promote drainage of the roadway, and to maintain the driving surface of the streets.
• The Operations Department sometimes needs to conduct winter control activities on the streets and sidewalks even when there is no snow event happening. This is done to ensure an adequate surface for traffic and in preparation for the next event.
• It is sometimes necessary to pre-treat the streets with material to prevent bonding of snow and ice, for an upcoming snow event. This allows staff time to get trucks mobile to respond when the event starts.
• Widening of the streets by pushing back the snow banks is often required to ensure adequate snow storage and to help with visibility for vehicles.

City plows clear the roadways as well as the shoulder and boulevards during snow clearing operations. To help with this important task:

• Please do not park your vehicle on the roadway especially during and after a snow event. It is difficult for the snow plow operator to clear the roadway properly with cars parked on the street.
  • Do not park on or too close to the sidewalk. The sidewalk plow needs sufficient room to maneuver, to be able to clear the sidewalk sufficiently.
  • Place garbage, yellow, blue and green bins 5 to 6 feet back from the curb or roadside and in the driveway so the plow can pass without upsetting the garbage bins. Do not place bins on the snow bank or sidewalk.
  • Please do not shovel snow onto the roadway, all snow removed from driveways must remain on your property as per City By-law 2019-56.