Citation

Guthrie D. APWA Reporter 2006; 73(10): 17-21.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Public Works Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article gives an overview of factors related to the city of Toronto's winter maintenance activities. The annual budget for such activities is $50 million, and it covers the city's 9,000 lane miles and 4,500 miles of sidewalks using a fleet of salt trucks, road plows, sidewalk plows, and employees. Operators are described as needing to respond to public concerns over deicing methods, particularly concerns that arise from what citizens understand to be either excessive or inadequate salting. To coordinate their efforts effectively, operators run nine Winter Maintenance Depots (WMDs). Toronto's WMDs are located strategically throughout the city in order to provide rapid delivery according to the operator's needs. An account is also given of newer deicing methods implemented by the city including the use of salt brine.