9 teams - 186 km of municipal roads - 450 streets

Snow removal circuits map 

Town facts – important notes
The Town of Saint-Lazare spreads over 67 km². This fact may not seem relevant, but it is quite important when it comes the time to manage such a large territory and to provide services. To give an idea of its size, Montreal West Island Towns spread in average over a 15 km² territory (4.5 times smaller).

While several Montreal boroughs count 2000 residents per km², the Town of Saint-Lazare counts 300 per km². Technically speaking, the way a Town provides services is very different than those smaller more populated towns.

5 hours to clear the 186 km-long road network once (450 roads)
In Saint-Lazare, as soon as there is a 2.5 cm snow accumulation (1 inch), 9 snow clearing teams simultaneously begin their snow clearing operation on the territory, regardless of the time of day. Every team clears approximately 20 km. It takes 5 hours to completely clear the snow on the entire territory. During important storms, teams often have to clear non-stop and several times the entire territory.

The snow clearing operation’s main objective is to ensure road safety for motorists and adequate visibility which may in some cases involve pushing the snow to more than a metre off the road limit.

Snow removal circuits map 

Visual cues during a first snowstorm
During a first snowstorm, drivers have little or no visual cues to guide their plows. As snow accumulates and snow banks form, operators can maintain their course much easier. If their plows have shoveled snow beyond the 1,5 m foreseen and have damaged your property, please contact the public works department, and write as soon as possible to travauxpublics@ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca so that the City can notice the damages quickly and handle your demand in a appropriate way.

Priority given to main traffic arteries, then to residential streets
At the beginning of each operation, priority is given to main arteries then to residential streets in every development.

My street is not cleared on time for my departure to work
With such a large-scale snow clearing operation the contractor cannot guarantee that every street is cleared in the morning for the departure to work of each citizen. Snow precipitations can occur any time of day or night, making it difficult for the snow contractor to respect a schedule and be on your specific street the same time every time there’s a snow precipitation.

« I’ve just hardly finished clearing the snow from my driveway, the Town blocks it again!”
Every town gets the comment. Unfortunately, with the number of streets to clear we cannot ask the contractor to lift his plow in front of every driveway. It takes them 5 hours to complete one tour without stopping. The Town counts more than 6 500 homes and must satisfy 20,000 residents who all want to enjoy cleared streets!

Markers, fences, shrubs, decorative rocks, car shelters, sprinkler heads: are you legal?
Planning any landscaping, renovation or installation ahead of time and knowing your municipal by-laws are essential to avoid expensive surprises during these operations. Before any construction, renovation, installation (temporary car shelter, fence, support wall, marker, lamp post, etc.) or landscaping (flower beds, shrubs, decorative rock, sprinkler heads) it is essential that you consult the urban planning and environment department to know the limits allowed for any installation by the margin of your property.

Mandatory: garbage, recycling bins, Christmas trees, branches
and other items in your private driveway (on the right when facing your house)
It is FORBIDDEN to deposit your garbage and recycling bins by the side of the road or in the municipal right-of-way. Not only can they be damaged but they can also compromise the safety of the snow clearing crew and of motorists.

YOU MUST deposit your garbage container and your recycling bin in your private entrance 5 feet away from the side of the road (1.5 m) (and no more than 7 feet for your recycling bin because of the truck’s mechanical pick-up arm). ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca/giveme5photo

Nothing on snow banks please!
We ask that you do not deposit anything on snow banks. During snow clearing operations, anything left on snow banks will be damaged or buried under the snow! This also applies to old Christmas trees! Leave them in your private entrance where truck drivers can see them from their cabin!

Plastic or wood markers only (min. 5 feet from the road)
Do not plant driveway markers at less than 5 feet from the edge of the public road pavement.

FORBIDDEN: metal driveway markers
Metal driveway markers are forbidden. They damage equipment; get stuck in blowers and delay clearing operations. Furthermore, when markers are buried under the snow, they become A REAL DANGER for children who can injure themselves, pierce limbs, their stomach, or even an eye. Instead, use plastic or wood markers.

Caution: poor visibility for truck drivers
Truck drivers sit very high in their trucks. They therefore have poor visibility which is even further reduced during snow storms. They must pay attention to cars driving in the opposite direction and keep their eyes on the road in difficult road conditions. Deposit your bins and containers in your driveway, where they can be easily located by drivers.

Calibration of salt and abrasive equipment
At the beginning of each season, the equipment that spreads salt and abrasives often needs to be calibrated. If you notice unusually large salt or abrasive splashes, do not hesitate to report it to the public works department at travauxpublics@ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca.

Spreading of salt and abrasives
Generally, the salt and abrasive spreading operation (composed of crushed stones, sand and salt) occurs at the same time as the snow clearing operation. On the main arteries, the Town spreads salt.

My neighbour uses his snow blower late at night
We understand that during important storms, some people may not be able to clear the snow from their driveway at a reasonable hour because of their work schedule. However, we ask everyone to be patient, tolerant and to use their good judgment. Courtesy is always best.

Crushed stones left on my property
Crushed stones do not present a danger to the environment nor to the health. They are used to reduce the amount of salt used. In the spring, the Town does not proceed to the removal of these crushed stones on its 186 km-lon road network for economic and technical reasons. Residents who may be annoyed by the crushed stones left in the Town’s right-of-way should foresee the installation of a geotextile membrane in the fall which will facilitate their removal in the spring. If at all possible, try to install it slightly away from the side of the road to avoid it being torn by the snow clearing equipment and try reusing it year after year, keeping the environment in mind. In addition, those of you who want to return the crush stones to the municipal garage, may do so by calling 450-455-4664.

Snow removal and elimination of the snow
The Town proceeds to removing the snow in the downtown area as well as on sidewalks. This snow is transported to the snow disposal site approved by the Ministry of the Environment on Rue du Parc Industriel.

Snow clearing contractor for the 2009-2010 winter season
Roxboro Excavation is the Town’s the snow clearing contractor. However, it is the Town that clears the snow in the municipal parking lots, sidewalks, municipal parks and of entrances of the drinking water treatment plants.

Property damage
Should you notice damage to your property following a snow clearing operation, please advise the Publics works department at the municipal garage at 450-455-4664 or travauxpublics@ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca as soon as possible so the Town can confirm the damage on the scene. We will inform you of the procedure to follow so that your claim can be handled appropriately.

Roads not cleared by the Town
Note that certain roads on our territory belong to Transport Quebec including Route de la Cité-des-Jeunes. This road is not cleared by the Town. To contact Transport Québec’s service centre located at 3600 Route de la Cité-des-Jeunes in Vaudreuil, call 450-455-6109.

Questions and concerns during business hours
For any question or concern during the Town’s regular business hours, contact the municipal garage at 450-455-4664.