Toronto's snow-fighting efforts this winter will include two new stationary melters, purchased for $1 million.
While Toronto has dodged a snow dumping so far this fall, that reality of the winter season can't be put off forever.
Peter Noehammer, director of transportation services for the city, said the investment will pay off when a big snowfall arrives.
The machines will be able to melt about 136 tonnes of snow per hour, he said.
"Economically they make sense because we avoid a lot of trucking costs," Noehammer said.
Toronto has had melting machines since 1984, but the current model has a top speed of 24 kilometres per hour, which is much faster than earlier generations.
The city has made some other investments to boost productivity.
This season, six right rear salters have been purchased to mount on utility trucks. They will be used to clean TTC stops.
"Historically, a vehicle would pull up with three men, one driving and two throwing salt on the stop," said transportation director Myles Currie. "This salt actually comes out the rear end of it."
The whole theme of the city's snow-clearing effort this year is faster, smarter, cheaper.
Toronto has a snow-clearing budget of $85 million, which is the same as the previous budget year. However costs have gone up.
General manager Gary Welsh said they will be expecting more from contractors to make up the difference.
"We're going to be pushing them to complete their work," he said. "And if we can do it faster, it's going to be a high level of service for city residents and save costs because a lot of the contracts are paid by the hour."
The city has a fleet of 1,100 vehicles available. The plan for when a snowstorm approaches is to apply a layer of brine on hills and bridges. After the snow begins, salt trucks will start working on main roads and expressways.
After 2.5 centimetres of snow has fallen, the plows will be dispatched to the main roads. The main priority will be maintaining access for TTC and emergency vehicles.
Side streets will only be plowed after more than eight centimetres of snow has fallen -- and then only after the snow has stopped.
It can take up to 15 to 20 hours after a snowfall to clear all streets.
Mechanical clearing of sidewalks will be done where feasible after 8 cm have fallen.
Seniors and disabled residents who have registered can get manual help with their snow, but only in areas where there is no mechanical clearing.
The city asks that people don't park cars on the street during snowstorms (if possible) and to not push snow from their property onto roadways.
Last year, Toronto got 50 cm of snow, compared to the usual 130 cm. Some forecasts suggest the city could be in for a snowy winter. If that happens, the city has a $20-million reserve fund it can access.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Alicia Markson
