We’re getting ‘salty’!

All you need to know about Vaughan’s salting operations

Snow and ice don’t stand a chance against the City of Vaughan’s Public Works crews this winter! Keeping the community safe, informed and moving throughout the winter months is a top priority. Understanding what our service levels involve, when the service begins and what can impact our operations will help you prepare for the upcoming season. 

Here's everything you need to know about our salting operations:

What is salting?

Salt is applied to roads and sidewalks to address snow or ice buildup. The City uses an award-winning artificial intelligence-based tool called the Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) to help our operators use the right amount of salt required for each winter storm. 

Since adopting this innovative technology in 2018, the City has decreased salt usage by more than 100 tonnes per salting event. MDSS saves the City money and is beneficial for the environment, as it reduces the amount of salt that could enter the stormwater system – and subsequently, bodies of water – through catch basins.Vaughan was the first municipality in Canada to incorporate this technology into its salting operations, which has since been adopted throughout Ontario. 

Watch this video to see a salting truck in action.

Regional vs. municipal roads – who is responsible for what?

Vaughan is comprised of local and regional roads, and the City works closely with York Region to ensure our road network is safe and clear all winter long. The City begins salting municipal main roads (such as Ansley Grove Road, Chancellor Drive, Kipling Avenue, Woodbridge Avenue and more) when snow or ice accumulates. Main roads are salted within four hours after snowfall ends, and residential roads, including narrower streets like laneways behind townhomes, are salted within 12 hours.

York Region is responsible for salting regional roads in Vaughan, such as Major Mackenzie Drive, Rutherford Road, Bathurst Street, Keele Street and Dufferin Street. For a full list of regional roads, visit york.ca.

What can impact City service levels?

Heavy snowfall (10 or more centimetres) or major winter storms, including Significant Weather Events, can impact salting service levels. But don’t worry, our crews are committed to working as efficiently and safely as possible to get the job done!

Stay informed!

For more information on the City’s winter maintenance program, visit vaughan.ca/snow. For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:

• create a profile on vaughan.ca and sign up for the “Snow Information Alert” to receive snow alerts directly in your inbox. Visit vaughan.ca/support for a step-by-step guide. 

• contact the SNOW hotline at 905-879-SNOW (7669) or email snow@vaughan.ca.

• follow the City’s official corporate social media channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

• subscribe to Vaughan News.