Uncertainty surrounding Mississauga’s new windrow-clearing program has led some residents to personally shovel heavy snow piles that are blocking access to neighbourhood pathways and park trails.
Ward 2 Councillor Alvin Tedjo raised the issue during a general committee meeting of the City of Mississauga, noting that several dedicated community members in the south end have voluntarily cleared snow buildups by hand to ensure safer access to local walkways and multi-use trails. He asked staff to clarify whether such areas fall under the municipality’s newly implemented residential windrow-clearing initiative.
This winter marks the first time Mississauga is clearing windrows in front of every residential driveway across the city—covering approximately 134,000 homes—as part of its updated winter maintenance strategy. Windrows are the compacted ridges of snow and ice left behind after plows clear roadways, often creating barriers at driveway entrances. The issue has been a source of frustration in recent years, with residents urging council to improve accessibility during heavy snowfalls.
Using specialized equipment, city crews now create a 10-foot-wide opening at residential driveways to allow vehicles to enter and exit more easily. However, the program does not apply to condominiums, commercial properties, or homes situated on private roads.
City staff confirmed that while windrows blocking pathways and trails are not included in the residential driveway program, they remain the responsibility of municipal winter maintenance teams. Such obstructions are addressed under the city’s sidewalk and pathway clearing operations and are typically removed within 24 to 36 hours following a storm, depending on snowfall levels and other operational factors.
In addition, this season marks the first time all municipal sidewalks are being plowed, including secondary sidewalks along priority roadside routes.
Mayor Carolyn Parrish and senior officials have stated that overall snow-clearing efforts have been effective during recent winter storms. While complaint numbers have remained relatively low, most concerns reported so far have involved sod damage caused by sidewalk plows rather than windrow removal.
Residents are encouraged to consult the city’s official website for detailed information on winter maintenance services and response timelines.