Weather advisory issued as city announces $90M plan to handle snow, cold
Posted November 15, 2018 6:32 am.
Last Updated November 15, 2018 12:29 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With the Santa Claus parade just days away, it’s about to look a lot more like Christmas in the GTA — but that could mean bad news for drivers.
Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, York, Durham, Hamilton and the Niagara region.
“Snow associated with a deepening low pressure system moving up along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States will reach southern Ontario later this afternoon,” the travel advisory reads.
“The snow is forecast to continue through tonight into early Friday morning.”
The agency said a snowfall of five to 10 centimetres is expected across the region, with most of the snow falling Thursday night.
It could have a major impact on the evening commute, and drivers are advised to take precautions.
Meanwhile, the city said it’s ready to handle the snow and cold weather.
During its annual show-and-tell Thursday, officials said snow-clearing equipment is on its way, salt has been replenished, and crews are ready to respond to broken watermains and pipes.
“City crews are ready,” Mayor John Tory said in a statement.
“Through planning, technology and access to a robust fleet of snow-clearing vehicles, we are confident that residents and visitors will be able to get around safely and effectively all winter long.”
The city budgets more than $90 million every year to keep roads and sidewalks clear. It has dedicated more than 1,500 contracted and city staff to the job, and they are on standby around the clock.
It also has 1,500 vehicles, including snow plows, sidewalk plows, salt trucks and dump trucks.
“Salters are here, more equipment is on its way and staff and contractors are ready 24-7 to keep our roads safe now and into April if needed,” said Barbara Gray, general manager of Transportation Services.
“We have a comprehensive winter operations plan that will help us through the entire 2018-19 winter season.”
Track salting trucks and see which roads have been cleared using the city’s online map.
