The city’s updated winter maintenance plan that removes walls of hard-packed snow – or windrows – from the bottom of all residential driveways in Mississauga has received a provincial award.
This past winter, for the first time, City of Mississauga snowplow crews cleared the troublesome snowy piles from the driveways of every home as part of their regular seasonal maintenance services.
Windrows are those difficult-to-move mounds of hard-packed snow and sometimes ice left at the end of driveways after streets have been plowed. They’ve been a major issue in Mississauga over the past few years as residents urged city council to implement a winter plan that keeps their driveways accessible.
The new initiative, which also had maintenance crews clearing snow from all residential sidewalks during the winter, was honored this week with the Project of the Year Award in Management Innovation from the Ontario Public Works Association.
The award was given to the city’s works operations and maintenance division for providing this expanded winter service, and it was one of two awards received by the city this week.
The OPWA also recognized Helen Noehammer, director of works operations and maintenance, as Top Public Works Leader of the Year.
Awards given by this provincial association celebrate outstanding projects, programs, and professionals within Ontario’s public works community, according to a news release from the city.
Helen Noehammer, director of works operations and maintenance for the city, received a provincial award this week.
Sam Rogers, Mississauga’s commissioner of transportation and works, remarked that this recognition “reflects the hard work, planning and teamwork behind our winter operations.”
He also noted that staff “delivered new services during a very challenging winter, improving safety, access and quality of life for residents.”
Rogers acknowledged Noehammer “for her leadership and long-standing commitment to building a stronger, more resilient city.”
Noehammer expressed that receiving this award “reflects the dedication, resiliency and innovative thinking of our staff. It shows our commitment to improving how we provide residents with the services they need even in challenging conditions. By working together and continuing to learn and adapt we’re making a real difference in how people move around the city and access services they rely on.”
Windrows cleared from 134,000 driveways
According to its new plan, this past winter alone saw at least a three-metre-wide opening cleared in 134,000 driveway windrows when roads were plowed.
This enhanced service was particularly appreciated by residents “during a winter marked by historic snowfall including a storm that brought up to 55 centimetres,” said the city while adding that these new services “made a difference for residents.”
In previous years officials pointed out that “many residents were left with heavy piles of snow at their driveway entrances after their street was cleared. By clearing space in residents’ windrows (this past winter), it became easier and safer for them to leave their homes for work school or appointments.”
This new initiative across all neighborhoods replaced an older windrow-clearing service aimed only at seniors or those facing mobility challenges.
Council approved new snow-clearing plan in 2024
In November 2024 city council agreed on a plan to clear windrows from every home in Mississauga starting with winters commencing 2025-26. The average homeowner will see an increase of $224 on their residential property tax bill which includes $21 per household specifically for windrow removal throughout the city.
Add-on sidewalk snow clearing (at an extra $7 per household) along with enhanced bike lane snow removal ($1) were also included in this updated winter maintenance strategy from the city.
This past season Mississauga joined several other municipalities within Greater Toronto Area offering windrow clearing for all households. Toronto Richmond Hill and Vaughan already provided similar snow- and ice-removal services.
The topic about windrows escalated into significant concern during winter 2022-23 when multiple severe storms left many individuals trapped inside their homes unable to manage heavy accumulations themselves.
More windrow complaints than ever before
<p During that time Mississauga councillors reported receiving more complaints regarding windrows than ever previously recorded among residents.
Windrows had turned into an increasing source of public annoyance over recent years reaching peaks early in 2023 leading up towards isolated incidents where frustrated citizens confronted municipal snowplow drivers along with equipment used.
In response town hall representatives discussed initiating a program encompassing all areas within Mississauga.
However come May 2023 following review via staffing report indicating yearly operational expenses totaling $11.6 million required running such widespread initiative council chose not pursue action at present.
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