Toronto Ramps Up Snow Removal Efforts Following Major Winter Storm
The City of Toronto has announced that snow removal operations are continuing around the clock in response to last weekend's significant winter storm that blanketed the region. Municipal crews are working tirelessly to clear accumulated snow from roadways, sidewalks, and critical infrastructure throughout Canada's largest city.
Residential Streets Take Priority Through Weekend
According to a media bulletin released by the city on Friday, crews will maintain their focus on residential street snow removal through the upcoming weekend. This strategic prioritization comes alongside continued attention to highway ramps, bridge decks, and essential routes serving hospitals and emergency services.
The city provides advance notice of snow removal operations, typically giving residents 24 to 48 hours warning before crews arrive in their neighborhoods. This notification system involves temporary orange "No Parking – Snow Removal" signs placed in snowbanks, and in some instances, city staff personally knocking on doors to alert residents.
Vehicle Removal and Parking Restrictions During Cleanup
When snow removal operations are scheduled for a particular street, the city emphasizes that all vehicles must be cleared of snow and moved to alternative parking locations. This requirement ensures that plows and removal equipment can access the full width of residential streets for comprehensive clearing.
"Once the city lifts the Major Snowstorm Condition, people will be able to park on snow routes again provided no orange snow removal signs are present," the official bulletin clarifies. This temporary parking restriction system helps facilitate efficient snow removal while minimizing disruptions to residents.
School Bus Loading Zone Blitz Planned
In addition to residential street clearing, the city has announced a specialized school bus loading zone snow removal blitz scheduled for overnight Friday and throughout the weekend. This targeted operation will address accumulation at schools across Toronto, with timing specifically planned outside of regular school hours to ensure student safety.
"As the storm lasted from Sunday into Monday, crews have had limited ability to address these areas because this work needs to be done outside of school hours to ensure the safety of students," the bulletin explains regarding the delayed attention to school zones.
Improved Efficiency Metrics Reported
The city reports significant improvements in winter operations efficiency when comparing the January 2026 snowstorms with those from February 2025. According to municipal data, there has been a 51% reduction in winter general inquiry calls, a 20% decrease in winter-related service requests, a 26% drop in overall 311 calls, and a 30% improvement in the 311 service level.
Toronto residents are encouraged to continue reporting areas requiring snow plowing or additional clearing by submitting service requests through the city's 311 system. "These reports help crews identify areas where conditions have changed or where repeated clearing is required," the bulletin states, emphasizing the importance of community feedback in directing cleanup efforts.
Infrastructure and Equipment Deployed
The city currently maintains five designated snow storage facilities, some equipped with snow melters, to manage snow removed from priority areas during winter operations. Municipal officials are actively assessing additional storage sites, with one new facility expected to become available by the end of the week.
Toronto's winter operations involve substantial resources, including more than 1,300 pieces of equipment and 65 in-house sidewalk plows in addition to contracted plowing services. This fleet maintains approximately 14,700 kilometers of road lanes, 7,900 kilometers of sidewalks, and 956 kilometers of separated bike lanes and multi-use trails throughout the city.
Residents seeking the latest updates on snow removal operations and winter maintenance can visit the official city website at toronto.ca/winter for real-time information and service announcements.
