What's on this page

↓Priority road clearing
↓Sidewalk clearing
↓Winter storm events
↓Significant weather events
↓Snow at the end of your driveway (windrows)
↓Damaged mailboxes

The Town of Milton works hard to keep our community safe and moving throughout the winter. Our team maintains more than 2,400 km of roads and over 250 km of sidewalks, ensuring that roads are plowed and sidewalks are cleared as efficiently as possible.  

All of our winter operations are carried out in accordance with the Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (O. Reg. 239/02).  

In the case of a significant weather event, winter maintenance will take more time. It is important to avoid unnecessary travel and to drive carefully according to weather and road conditions. 

You’re always welcome to contact us, and we kindly ask for your patience as our crews focus on winter maintenance duties and plowing the Town’s roads and sidewalks.

Priority road clearing

The Town of Milton services its roads on a priority system. Plowing is done in the following order of priority.  

Priority 1: Major roads and transit routes
  • Main roads, those with the greatest volumes of traffic, are treated with salt or sand and plowed to achieve bare pavement. 

Priority 2: Rural collector roads and industrial areas  
  • Rural collector roads, or secondary roads that lead to primary roads are treated with salt or sand and plowed to achieve bare pavement. These roads are treated after Priority 1. 

Priority 3: Urban and rural residential roads  
  • Residential and rural roads are serviced as needed after major and collector roads are cleared of snow and ice.

All roads are cleared after a winter storm event or a significant weather event. When all streets need plowing, the aim is to complete plowing within 24 hours after the end of the snowfall. Heavy snowfalls or successive storms may extend this period beyond 24 hours. 

View our snow plow priorities map for more information.  

Sidewalk clearing 

With accumulation of 5 cm or more of snow, the Town begins plowing sidewalks and pathways associated with schools, transit routes and major pedestrian travel. Residents are responsible for clearing snow on their sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of a snow or ice storm.  When you clear your sidewalk, please do not put the snow on the road as per By-law No. 106-2019. 

Winter storm events 

A winter storm event occurs when weather conditions significantly impact snow clearing and parking operations.  

These conditions often include heavy snowfall, cold temperatures, and strong winds that may cause drifting or blowing snow, but not all factors need to be present. The time of year and other circumstances, such as previously accumulated snow, pending weather like freezing rain, or overall road conditions, can also influence whether an event is classified as a storm.  

As a guideline, the Town typically considers forecasts of 10 cm or more of snow as a trigger for suspending parking exemptions, though lower amounts may apply when other factors make snow removal challenging. 

Significant weather events 

A significant weather event is declared when Environment Canada forecasts or reports severe weather conditions that may impact the Town’s ability to deliver normal winter maintenance operations.  

These conditions can include:  

  • Heavy or prolonged snowfall  

  • Freezing rain or ice accumulation  

  • High winds causing blowing or drifting snow  

  • Extreme cold temperatures that reduce the effectiveness of road salt or brine  

Declaring a significant weather event does not mean winter maintenance stops; it signals that service timelines may be extended because conditions make it unsafe or impractical to maintain the usual level of service. During this time, it may take crews longer than 24 hours to clear roads and sidewalks due to extreme weather. 

During such events, residents and visitors are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel, follow parking restrictions, and allow extra time for crews to clear roads and sidewalks.  

The Town will share regular updates on road conditions, service timelines, and when the Significant Weather Event has officially ended.

Snow at the end of your driveway (windrows) 

Plow operators work to clear snow on the roadways to keep traffic flowing. Snow coming off plows is pushed to the right side of the road, to keep it away from traffic. This results in piles of snow at the end of your driveway called windrows.  

Plow operators do not intentionally block driveways with snow. Windrows are unavoidable when clearing the road for traffic. 

The Town does not clear windrows; this is the responsibility of the homeowner. The Town does offer a windrow removal program for seniors and persons with disabilities. 

Damaged mailboxes 

We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused if your mailbox was damaged during winter snow plowing. The Town will reimburse up to $100 for repairs or replacement. 

To report damage caused by a Town of Milton plow, complete the operations contact form by May 30.

Once we receive your report, we’ll assess the damage and provide instructions on how to submit your receipts for reimbursement.