Nasty ice rain slows sidewalk snow-clearing

The city says it still expects to clear the 886 kilometres of sidewalk it is responsible for by Saturday

Blame never-ending ice rain if you were forced to walk in the street Friday to bypass sidewalks full of cement-like snow — even on the walkways the city is supposed to clear.

The city says its contractor is working to clean those sidewalks with miniature plows — and has even brought in extra equipment. But the uniquely horrible mix of snow followed by hours of ice rain has made plowing a “slow go,” said roadway maintenance manager Peter Sniuolis.

“It has been particularly challenging, with the snow followed by freezing rain for basically a day straight,” he said Friday, acknowledging some residents are complaining about conditions.

This is the first winter for Hamilton’s expanded sidewalk snowclearing responsibilities, which now includes 866 kilometres along major roads and transit routes as well as in front of municipal and school properties. (Check out the map of where the city plows versus where homeowners must shovel at hamilton.ca, under “sidewalk snow clearing.”)

Some upset residents started posting photos Friday of uncleared sidewalks in the new city coverage area — as well as snaps of people walking in vehicle lanes on the street.

Although sidewalk clearing is going more slowly given the “extremely dense, compact” snow layered in ice, Sniuolis noted the city is actually still on track to meet its minimum service level of 24 hours after the end of the storm.

(If you’re trying to do the math, the city did not declare an end to the storm event until 5 a.m. Friday.)

Another source of frustration for residents is watching road plows push snow into sidewalks that have already been cleared, like along the residential section of Dundurn Street North.

“It’s a challenge for us, and not something that is necessarily avoidable,” acknowledged Sniuolis, who said a lack of room to manoeuvre for big plows sometimes forces road snow into unwanted areas. “It’s not an intentional thing.”

Sniuolis said the city’s sidewalk contractor will return to redo sidewalks in this scenario — either after a “spot check” by city workers, or in response to complaints from residents. You can report snow problems at 905-546-CITY.

But remember: residents are still responsible for clearing sidewalk snow in front of their homes if they don’t live on a major road or transit route. If you’re wondering who should shovel where, check out the city snow-clearing map. MATTHEW VAN DONGEN IS A TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTER AT THE SPECTATOR. MVANDONGEN@THESPEC.COM

JOHN RENNISON THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR One of Hamilton's new sidewalk snowplows cuts a path along Mohawk Road.

CATHIE COWARD THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Two women struggle to walk through unshovelled snow on the sidewalk along Dundurn Street North Friday afternoon.

CATHIE COWARD THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR A woman is forced into the street due to uncleared sidewalk snow.