Greater Sudbury Safer Sidewalks
Speak up for safe winter sidewalks
On September 18, 2023, City Council’s Operations Committee voted unanimously in favour of a pilot project for the 2023-2024 winter that added 3 staff for winter sidewalk maintenance to finish any unfinished routes during storms, AND to maintain each route on a continuous basis once per week in between storms, with no tax increase. This is an important step for safer winter sidewalks, and for continuous sidewalk plowing. Read the staff report.
We documented winter sidewalk conditions to evaluate the results of the pilot project. The results of our survey showed that the pilot project improved winter sidewalk conditions.
Our analysis showed that, overall, the pilot project resulted in acceptable sidewalk conditions for residents who walk, for a high percentage of the time. However, sidewalk maintenance requires further attention to meet the needs of residents who use a mobility device or push a stroller. Further improvements are also needed to provide acceptable sidewalk conditions more quickly after storms and thaw events, and address common barriers (icy conditions, and blocked sidewalks and intersections).
In June 2024, Operations Committee voted to extend the pilot project to the 2024-2025 winter.
- What we heard from community members: our 2021 report summarizing our survey results
- Our June 19, 2023 presentation to Operations Committee: our power point; the video of our presentation; our information sheet for Council
- Our 2020 information sheet to Council
- Contact Greater Sudbury Safer Sidewalks at gssafersidewalks@gmail.com or join the FB group.
