The City of Canal Winchester is committed to providing safe, accessible streets during inclement weather and encourages residents and businesses to do their part by clearing sidewalks.
The city’s street department makes every effort to keep local streets clear and passable before, during, and after a snow event by utilizing a brine solution, salting, and plowing. During a season, crews have applied upwards of 8,000 gallons of brine solution and as many as 750 tons of salt. The city’s policy for snow and ice removal is to begin with arterial streets such as Gender Road, Columbus Street, High Street, Washington Street and Waterloo Street. Removal of snow and ice from arterial streets is followed by major streets within subdivisions, secondary streets within subdivisions, cul-de-sacs, alleys and then parking lots. Streets are cleared curb-to-curb to provide easier access for emergency vehicles and to prevent ice-damming, as well as to allow for proper gutter drainage. Removal of plowed snow in the downtown area occurs when snowfall exceeds eight inches and only after all other removal activities are complete.
During a snow event, a bulk of Canal Winchester streets are maintained by dedicated street department staff, often working 12-hour shifts until snow and ice removal is complete. Some local roadways, however, may fall within the jurisdiction of county or township service and engineering departments. For questions regarding which jurisdiction plows and maintains your road, please contact our Street Department at 614-524-0163.
As a reminder, keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice is the responsibility of property owners. You can help make sidewalks around your residence or business safer by shoveling a path around your property in a timely manner each time there is snow accumulation. Cleared sidewalks also assist our local police, fire, and EMS during emergencies.
Additional ways residents can help in the snow removal process include:
- Do not shovel snow onto streets, alleys, or bike paths.
- Shovel snow into small piles instead of large piles. Small piles will melt quicker and are less likely to develop into dangerous ice banks.
- Clear snow around mailboxes, fire hydrants, and dumpsters.
- Avoid parking on streets during snowy or icy conditions.
- Help neighbors in need who may be elderly, sick, disabled, or unable to shovel for any reason.
By working together, we can help minimize the effects of snow and ice on our streets and sidewalks. For complete details about the city’s snow removal policy, visit our website: www.canalwinchesterohio.gov.