Snow removal from side streets across East Toronto and entire city now underway

By COLE HESSION

Following a series of intense snowstorms over the past several days, the city has begun clearing piles of snow from roads and sidewalks including those in East Toronto.

Over the past week, some 53 centimetres of snow has fallen across the city, causing congested side streets and sidewalks, snowed under cars and large snowbanks.

Along many roads, there have been several temporary ‘no parking’ signs set up, as city crews will be clearing snowbanks on local streets.

During these snow removal operations, cars found in these ‘no parking’ sections can be towed.

During a news conference held on Wednesday Feb. 19,, city officials declared a Major Snowstorm Condition and Significant Weather Event, causing parking to be prohibited on snow and streetcar routes. The Toronto Police’s Parking Enforcement had towed 41 vehicles and issued 3,085 tickets as of the morning of Feb. 19, said a city news release.

During the snow removal operations, local residents may see temporary orange signs in snowbanks advising them to move their vehicles off the street ahead of snow clearing work beginning. Residents may also receive a knock on their door from crews requesting they move their vehicles, said a city news release.

The city has designated more than 450 dump trucks to be used in this operation and are using them to collect snow to deposit at five designated sites.

In its new release, the city said Toronto has not required snow removal from local streets at this level since January of 2022.

For more information on local snow clearing operations, please go to the city’s website at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-maintenance/winter-maintenance/major-snow-event/