Service and Priority
Levels of Service
Snow clearing operations are impacted by many factors. Weather conditions following a snow event such as drifting, rain, or a sudden temperature drop could delay our snow clearing timelines. Public health guidelines could also have an impact on staff levels, should there be an exposure to COVID-19. While the City uses its best efforts to clear snow in a timely manner, our harsh climate can impact snow clearing.
Level of Service for Sidewalks
Level of Service for Streets
Complete one application of ice control materials on streets within three hours of ice conditions.
For snowfalls of up to 25 centimeters, complete an initial cut on streets within 12 hours following the end of the storm. For snowfalls greater than 25 centimeters, and for extenuating circumstances (such as drifting conditions, extreme snow accumulations, etc.), the time to complete the initial cut will increase.
Streets are salted and plowed in a priority order that is primarily based on traffic volumes. This ensures emergency vehicle access is maintained to the greatest number of residents at all times.
Level of Service for Sidewalks
The City has identified 161 km of sidewalks for snow clearing and ice control. These are typically “collector” and “arterial” streets that generate a higher amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Local and residential streets are not included in the City’s sidewalk snow clearing program. Sidewalk snow clearing and ice control operations are completed in priority and can be seen on this map.
Depending on the amount of snow on the ground, most streets in the sidewalk program will be plowed within four to seven days following the end of the storm. The time to complete this will increase if a new storm occurs during this time frame.
Downtown
The St. John’s Snow Removal Regulations require properties adjacent to designated downtown streets to keep sidewalks clear of ice and snow.
Outside Downtown
The City clears and salts sidewalks on at least one side of many arterial and collector streets. School zones, however, are given top priority for sidewalk clearing operations.
| Priority 1A | School Zones |
| Priority 1 | First side of arterial roads and downtown business district (main pedestrian corridors) |
| Priority 2 | Second side of multi-lane arterial roads and downtown business district, and first side of collectors |
| Priority 3 | Second side of remaining arterial roads (with both sides serviced) |
| Priority 4 | Second side of collector streets (both sides serviced) and any remaining sections of the sidewalk program |
For questions or more detail contact Access St. John's