Service Standards
The Halifax Regional Municipality is committed to keeping streets and sidewalks clear and safe from snow and ice. Even before a snow event occurs, HRM's snow operations are set in motion to facilitate safe movement for both motorists and pedestrians. Snow and ice operations, however, do take time. The goal is to set an attainable standard which align the levels of service with the financial constraints of the HRM budget.
In order to achieve this standard, routes must be classified based on their impact on the overall transportation system. HRM has classified all of the routes and will service them (salt, sand and plow) in the following order of priority:
Streets
Priority 1 Streets & Roads
First Priority streets include main arterials, emergency routes to hospitals and fire equipment, major bus routes, and snow routes in major hilly terrain during weather situations. HRM's goal is to have a plow or salt pass every 3 hours and make Class 1 streets safe and clear of snow within 12 hours of the end of snowfall.
Priority 2 Streets & Roads
Second Priority streets include residential and rural routes with medium to low volume traffic, gravel roads, and private lanes which HRM is responsible for. HRM's goal is to start cut throughs at intersections to allow access onto the local streets after 10 cm's of accumulation and to make Class 2 streets passable within 24 hours of the end of snowfall.
Service Standards for Streets (PDF 321KB)
More information on streets |
Sidewalks
Priority 1 Sidewalks
First Priority sidewalks include main arterials and sidewalks within the Capital District. HRM's goal is to clear these sidewalks within 12 hours of the end of snowfall.
Pritority 2 School Route and Transit Route Sidewalks
HRM's goal is to clear school route sidewalks within 18 hours of the end of snowfall.
Priority 3 Residential Street Sidewalks & Walkways
HRM's goal is to clear residential sidewalks and walkways within 36 hours of the end of snowfall.
Intersections & Bus Stops
HRM's goal is to clear bus stops (starting with high volume stops) within 72 hours of the end of snowfall.
* Standards apply only to sidewalks that are maintained by the HRM. In other areas, sidewalks are the responsibility of the abutting property owner, and subject to regulations set out in By-Law S-300.
Service Standards for Sidewalks (PDF 259KB)
More information on Sidewalks
Important Notes on Service Standards
- In snowfalls greater than 30 cm, or in blizzard conditions, service levels may not be achieved. HRM's crews will continue working until all streets and sidewalks are clear and safe from snow & ice.
- During significant snow events "cut throughs" (one lane plowing) may commence on residential streets to allow single lane access prior to full street width clearing
- While the objective is to maintain sidewalks to a bare condition, many factors are key to achieving sucess. Wet snow packed to ice, freezing rain and sudden freezes after rain can produce a heavy ice build-up on sidewalks. Sand will be applied to provide a degree of traction.
- In the case of multiple snowfalls, where there has been insufficient time to complete all sidewalks, operations will return to the highest priorities and start over.
- Plowing, from either street or sidewalk operations, will result in snow at the end of resident's driveways. HRM will NOT be responsible for removing this snow.
Street Clearing Standards
| Road Classification/ Priority |
Typical |
Service Level After Operations |
Start Times and Frequency |
Time to Completion from End of Snowfall |
Priority 1
Main Arterials |
Robie Street,
Sackville Street,
Portland Street |
Bare pavement driving lanes |
After 2 cm of snow, 3 hour turnaround |
12 hours to full driving lanes |
Priority 1
Transit Routes
Collector Roads |
Parkland, Caledonia Road, Metropoliitian Ave |
3m centreline bare |
After 2 cm of snow, 3 hour turnaround |
12 hours |
Priority 1
Residential Street with greater than 10% slope that serve as snow routes |
Vestry Street, Joffre Street, Lindsay Hill |
Centreline bare |
After 4 cm of snow, 3 hour turnaround |
12 hours to 2 lane width |
Priority 2
Residential Streets |
Cork Street, Anderson Street, Chandler Drive |
Snow Covered, Passable |
After 10 cm of snow |
24 hours to 2 lane widths |
Priority 2
Gravel Roads |
Confederation Drive,
Flandrum Hills |
Snow Covered, Passable |
After 10 cm of snow |
24 hours |
Priority 2
Private Lanes |
Myers Lane |
Snow Covered, Passable |
|
24 hours |
Sidewalk Clearing Standards
| Sidewalk Priority Classification |
Materials Used |
Start Time |
Duration Until Cleared |
Priority 1
Main Arterials
Capital District |
Salt or Salt/Sand mixture |
After 5 cm of accumulation, or the end of snowfall, whichever is less |
12 hours from end of snowfall |
Priority 2
School Routes and Transit Routes |
Salt or Salt/Sand mixture |
After 10 cm of accumulation, or the end of snowfall, whichever is less |
18 hours from end of snowfall |
Priority 3
Residential Routes/ Walkways |
Salt or Salt/Sand mixture |
After completion of first 2 priorities |
36 hours from end of snowfall |
Intersections / bus stops |
Salt or Salt/Sand mixture |
After sidewalks are complete |
72 hours from end of snowfall |
| |
|
|
|
|
