More sidewalk clearing to improve winter mobility for everyone

This Strategic Story is just one example of how the City of Waterloo's 2023-2026 Strategic Plan and community feedback helped inform the 2024-2026 staff tabled budget.

Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion:

Winter sidewalk clearing is an equity and accessibility issue, not just a transportation concern.

What we heard

When residents shared their vision for the future of Waterloo, common themes included:

When sidewalks are not accessible, this disproportionately impacts low income households, people with disabilities,
older adults and anyone using an assistive mobility device.

Sidewalks should be cleared by the City.

Individuals should clear their own sidewalk and help others that need assistance.

Why it's important

Many residents across the City walk and roll year-round on sidewalks and trails, using them as their primary method of travel, to access public transit, for short trips and for exercise. In the winter, snow covered sidewalks and multi-use paths are more difficult to use. Some members of our community face significant accessibility challenges when snow accumulation occurs. The shared model where both the City and private property owners clear snow from sidewalks will still be in place, with adjustments to improve winter sidewalk accessibility over the next few seasons.

What we're doing

With budget adoption, you would see this work delivered in stages over the 2024-25 to 2026-27 winter seasons. As we implement new solutions, we will evaluate the effectiveness of those approaches. We’ll prioritize the clearing of City-maintained trails near schools, and phase in crews/ equipment to tackle the snow that accumulates at high use crosswalks. We will also focus on snow left at intersections after snow plows clear the roadway. We’ll use education, enforcement and offer program assistance to improve the conditions of sidewalks property owners are responsible for, and pilot clearing snow from some sidewalks where there are no boulevards for snow storage. We will ask for feedback to see how these shared, phased-in options are working, and evaluate how well these and other supports we are providing help everyone get where they need to go. What we learn in the next few years will help determine the future of services and potential funding needed to expand improvements into 2027 and beyond.

Read more Strategic Stories.