Item - 2022.IE28.11

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to consult with internal and external stakeholders and to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on an Extreme Winter Weather Response Plan in the first quarter of 2023.

2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to implement initiatives and service improvements as soon as feasible and in advance of the next winter season where possible.

3. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to meet with Ward Councillors in advance of the next winter season, regarding improvements to snow services, including ward-specific contracts and measures.

On January 16-17, 2022, the City of Toronto experienced an extraordinary winter storm that involved extreme cold temperatures, very rapid snowfall, and an ultimate snow accumulation of 55 centimetres in just 15 hours. The below freezing temperatures that followed the storm and lasted for more than two weeks created a unique set of challenges for storm clean up. Responses to this winter weather event required additional efforts above and beyond typical salting and snow plowing activities, and included significant involvement from Transportation Services, Strategic Public and Employee Communications, 311, and Fleet Services.

Preparations for the January storm began with proactive communications and a pre-treatment of salt brine on expressways, select major arterial roads, hills and bridges. Salting and plowing operations commenced as the snow began to fall and continued with numerous rounds on all roads and sidewalks. A Significant Weather Event and Major Snow Storm Condition was declared from 18:00 on January 17 until 18:00 on February 16 to assist crews with snow clearing, including removal of 180,000 tonnes of snow from streets, sidewalks and bicycle paths. The removal alone cost more than $17 million, or almost 20 percent of the winter maintenance budget for Transportation Services.

None of the existing Council-approved service levels accounts for extreme weather events, and therefore the levels do not set a feasible response time for a storm of the magnitude experienced in January. In addition, a number of challenges were experienced as a result of the storm including supporting the immediate needs of emergency services, digging out Toronto Transit Commission vehicles, strain on equipment, manual clearing to avoid infrastructure and property damage, logistics of removing and relocating the volume of snow as quickly as possible, some contractor issues and communicating service levels and response times.

Following an external winter maintenance review in 2019 and a 2020 Winter Road Maintenance Program Audit, Transportation Services has implemented changes and improvements to existing and future service provision.  Nonetheless, the January 16-17 winter storm highlighted the need for continuous improvement including the development of an Extreme Winter Weather Response Plan with new service levels.

At its meeting on February 22, 2022, the Toronto Accessibility Committee considered Item DI19.3 and made recommendations to City Council.

Transportation Services staff was seeking input from the Committee prior to finalizing a report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.