Snow clearance and accessibility

It has been noted by many that although the city is very fast at clearing roads after a storm, and that sidewalk and bike lane clearance is also improving, such plowing can form piles of snow or windrows that create problems for those with mobility issues. Certainly there are high snow banks all over the city that create a barrier at most curbs.

Today, a group of volunteers was organized to clear snow around the streetcar stops on Dundas St W between River St and Bathurst. One crew started at River St working their way west, and the other at Bathurst going east. I joined the Bathurst crew.

On my way to the start point, I saw plowing had created some new obstacles on the Bloor bike lanes, like this one at Havelock.

When I arrived, the crew had already done some work at Bathurst.

All done.

One of my shovels was an early casualty.

There were places with very thick ice even on the sidewalk.

Much better now.

The ghost bike for Inus.

Working at Spadina.

Headed to the next stop.

Dundas and Huron before clearing.

After clearing a path for streetcar offloading, we’re doing some additional digging to get to a sewer grate for drainage.

In front of the AGO.

Again, much better.

At Chestnut, we meet up with the westbound group, and we all set to work on the south side snow bank.

A fellow in a wheelchair happened to pass by and he expressed his appreciation for what we were doing. He recounted many instances of being blocked from safe passage by snowbanks.

One group picture of the entire crew before we split up to continue our work.

Three of us turned back west to work on the north side. By the time we get to Beverly, a city Bobcat was doing snow clearance and we were treated to a virtuoso performance. He cleared snow from the curb, and followed that up with a quick pass to clear part of the roadway.

Thanks to Gru for organizing, and it was a pleasure to meet all of my fellow workers.

update: CTV news coverage: ‘Why isn’t the city doing this?’ Volunteers shovel snow from 30 streetcar stops in Toronto