Snowplowing and Winter Maintenance

The Roads division works hard to ensure safe driving conditions on Township roads during the winter.

From November 1 to March 31, we perform daily road patrols to monitor conditions and prepare responses to winter events. Our crews use a snow clearing schedule that is based on a road priority system. Sanding/salting and plowing begin on high-use roadways and then moves to residential streets. We also monitor various weather information sources for a consistent forecast to plan operational responses.

Less than 8 cm of snow	We begin sanding/salting operations and/or scraping of roads if required. Priority is given to arterial roads, hills and some collector roads.
Greater than 8 cm of snow	We plow all roads, beginning with priority routes and then secondary routes.
Post storm patrols and service concerns	We push back snowbanks, blow back intersections, clean up sidewalks, remove snow banks, address specific concerns, etc.

There are 330 km of roads in the Township that are maintained by our Public Works crew. See a problem? Please report it.

Sand/salt mix available to residents

Did you know that each of our operations yards have a sand/salt mix available for use by Leeds and the Thousand Islands residents?!

You can pick up sand 24/7 at our following yards (located in yellow bins with sign):

1233 Prince Street, Lansdowne
312 Lyndhurst Road, Lyndhurst

**Please note the following guidelines:

Sand is limited to two (2) – five (5) gallon (20 litre) pails or bins per household.
Bring your own container. A shovel will be provided on-site for your convenience.

This service aims to assist the public with winter safety. Thank you for using it responsibly.

Significant Weather Event

What is a “Significant Weather Event”?

A “Significant Weather Event” (SWE) is defined as an approaching or occurring weather hazard with the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways within a municipality. Weather Hazards are determined by Environment Canada as meeting the criteria for the issuance of an alert under its Public Weather Alerting Program.

This declaration suspends the Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) timelines required for our Township to meet our winter maintenance objectives. This declaration will remain in place until the Township formally declares the Significant Weather Event has been lifted. Once an event has been lifted, standard winter maintenance timelines will resume.

Why would we need to declare a “Significant Weather Event”?

The intent of a declaration is to notify the public that, due to the forecasted or current weather conditions, caution is to be exercised when travelling on the Township’s sidewalks, parking lots and roads, and that it will take longer than usual to restore them to the expected condition.

Is the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands the only municipality that declares “Significant Weather Events”?

Many towns, cities and municipalities in Ontario declare “Significant Weather Events”. Under the Ontario Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways, made under the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, municipalities have been given the authority to declare a Significant Weather Event when a weather hazard is approaching or occurring and has the potential to pose a significant hazard to users of the highways in which the municipality has authority over.

Under the legislation, a municipality may declare a Significant Weather Event when Environment Canada issues an alert under its Public Weather Alerting Program. The municipality must also determine that an approaching or occurring winter event locally meets the criteria for a weather hazard, and in its judgement, also poses a significant danger to users of the highway.

How will I know the Township has declared a “Significant Weather Event”?

When a Significant Weather Event has been declared, the Township will:

Inform Council by email

Post an alert notice on the Township website

Post a news article on the Township website, which sends an email notice to all subscribers

Provide an update on the Township’s Social Media accounts, including Facebook, X and Instagram

When the event has ended, the Township will also post/share the notice indicating the Significant Weather Event has been lifted using the same tools.

What should a resident do when they see the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands has declared a “Significant Weather Event”?

We will declare a Significant Weather Event when there is an occurring or expected weather hazard with the potential to pose a significant danger to users of our Township’s sidewalks, parking lots and roads. During such an event, residents are encouraged to limit travel to only essential trips outside of their home. Those who cannot are reminded to exercise caution based on the conditions and to give our snow-clearing vehicles space to do their jobs.

During a Significant Weather Event, our winter operations crew will continue to clear/ treat the sidewalks, parking lots and roadways – but due to the poor weather conditions, the work may not be completed within the Minimum Maintenance Standards timelines.

During a Significant Weather Event, all available resources will be deployed, and we will be asking residents to refrain from calling 1-855-961-7018 or creating a service request through the “Ask a Question/Report a Concern” section of our website for anything other than an emergency. 

Winter Maintenance

Our road division performs daily and nightly road patrols starting early November to monitor conditions to prepare for responses to winter events. Our crews use a snow clearing schedule that is based on a road priority system following the Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards. We also monitor various weather information sources for a consistent forecast to plan operational responses. Sanding/salting and plowing typically begin on high-use roadways and then moves to residential streets.

To help our road crews keep roads clear and safe, there is a Winter Parking Ban in effect on Township roads, village streets, and sidewalks from 12:00 am to 7:00 am from December 1 to March 31.

The Township isn't responsible for damages to recycle boxes, parked cars or other obstacles that interfere with winter road maintenance.

Winter Operations and Mailboxes

We will replace or repair mailboxes and mountings if, in the opinion of our roads department, the damage was caused by Township snow maintenance equipment.
If the box is damaged, we'll straighten it. If the box is beyond repair, we'll provide a replacement (if approved by manager).
Replacements will be made if the damage is caused only by contact with the plow equipment itself. The replacement cost will be limited to the cost of a standard box and/or post.
If the damaged mailbox has a post that is not damaged by coming in contact with the plow, the Township will supply a new mailbox but not a new post.
If the damaged mailbox has a post that was heavily deteriorated before the incident, the Township will provide only a mailbox but not provide a replacement post.

Residents are required to follow Canada Post guidance on mailbox specifications for installation.

For all other road issues and concerns, please contact the following

County roads

County roads, or arterial roads, are maintained by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. These include:

County Road 2
County Road 3 (Prince St., Reynolds Rd., Outlet Rd.)
County Road 4 (Quabbin Rd., Rockfield Rd., Warburton Rd.)
County Road 13 (South Lake Rd.)
County Road 32
County Road 33 (Lyndhurst Rd.)
County Road 35 (Station Rd.)
County Road 34 (King Street West, Eden Grove Rd., Hiscocks Rd.)
County Road 37 (Howe Island Ferry Rd., East)
County Road 42
County Road 47 (Main Street in Seeley's Bay)

Provincial highways

Provincial Highways are maintained by the Ministry of Transportation. These include:

Highway 15
Highway 137
Highway 401

1000 Islands Parkway

The 1000 Islands Parkway is maintained by Highway Maintenance Contracting Inc, a division of Coco Group. To report a problem, contact the Call Centre at 1-866-685-2770.

Private roads and lanes

Private lanes are maintained by citizens or lane associations. If you live on a private lane you may be eligible for the Private Road Grant.

How can you help?

Please...

be patient, in heavy snowfalls it takes us longer to get all our streets cleared
be a good neighbour and help those who may not be able to shovel their driveways and sidewalks
put waste and recycling bins in your driveway and not on the road allowance
pile snow on the right side of your driveway, this is the down-side of the plow so it will help to reduce snow build-up in your driveway
slow down-drive according to the weather and road conditions
when possible let the salt work on the roads before driving
keep driveways clear of any shoulder snow accumulations from street or sidewalk plowing

Please do not...

park on the street during a snowfall, or immediately following a snowfall if plowing is still needed
park your vehicle at the very end of a driveway or across the sidewalk/boulevard area. Plow operators are not able to do their job properly if vehicles are parked in the way
follow too closely to snow plows
place snow from sidewalks or driveways on the street, this creates a hazard for vehicles and is prohibited by the Highway Traffic Act

During snowplowing, the force of plowed snow often knocks down unstable mailboxes. Please ensure that your mailbox is fit to withstand the pressure of heavy loads of snow spray from our plows. Mailboxes, like other household features, require maintenance to endure our winter months. The Township does not replace mailboxes knocked down by snow spray. If you believe your property was struck or run over by a Township vehicle, please report it. For those living on County roads or the 1000 Islands Parkway contact the appropriate agency.

Road Encroachment

The Township road allowance extends beyond the shoulders of the road surface. Permission must be obtained from the Township before placing any object or structure on a road allowance.

Private contractors

If you are looking for someone to plow your driveway, search the United Counties Leeds and Grenville Business Directory for a service near you.

Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
1233 Prince St., P.O. Box 280
Lansdowne, ON K0E 1L0
Phone: 613-659-2415
Toll Free: 1-866-220-2327