Municipal Class Environmental Assessment study for Snow Storage Sites
Introduction
Peel Region has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) study to evaluate snow storage opportunities at select Peel Region (and one Town of Caledon) owned property. While snow storage facilities are automatically approved under the MCEA manual, the Region is following a MCEA Schedule B framework that will allow for the evaluation of alternative near and long-term snow storage siting opportunities in consultation with key stakeholders, regulatory agencies and the public. The MCEA study process will conclude with the preparation of conceptual designs of the recommended snow storage facilities that will ultimately advance to the design and construction phase.
The Need for Snow Storage
Over the course of a snowy winter, snow accumulates on the side of the road as plows clear the snow off the roadways. As the banks get higher, too much snow can become a safety issue by obstructing driver views and hindering pedestrian passage. In recent years, infrastructure updates to improve walkability, cycling and other modes of travel have reduced the areas where snow can be placed within built environments.
Road Operations monitors snow accumulations and periodically removes the snow piles from the boulevard storage areas. The removed snow needs to be taken somewhere to melt in an environmentally responsible way as it may contain road contaminants such as salt, oil, grease, garbage and heavy metals.
Identifying appropriate snow storage sites has become an increasing challenge due to population growth and environmental disposal concerns. This issue may worsen due to the impacts of climate change. Many of the traditional locations used for storing snow are becoming unavailable or inappropriate for use.
Strategically placed and well-designed snow disposal facilities are required in order to effectively store and manage the melt of the snow while mitigating against undesirable environmental and operational impacts.
What are the Potential Snow Storage Sites being considered?
Potential Snow Storage Sites will be screened and evaluated through the MCEA process. This is summarized in the screening table. The potential snow storage sites that are proposed to be carried forward to design and construction at this time are illustrated in the Site Locations map.
| Site | Location | Municipality |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highway No. 50 Carpool Lot | Caledon |
| 2 | West Brampton Reservoir and Pumping Station | Brampton |
| 3 | Johnston Sports Park | Caledon |
| 4 | Tullamore Reservoir and Pumping Station | Caledon |
| 5 | Alloa Reservoir and Pumping Station | Caledon |
| 6 | 7120 Hurontario Street | Mississauga |
| 7 | 7771 Mayfield Road | Brampton |
| 8 | 12052 The Gore Road, 7472 and 7480 Mayfield Road | Caledon |
This study, including the conceptual designs, is expected to be completed in Spring 2023. One virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) is being held to present the findings of the MCEA study and provide opportunities to give feedback to the project team. The PIC is a narrated video which presents the snow storage sites considered, including the sites recommended to move forward to design and construction. Once the study is complete, results may be published in a Project File Report and made available for public review and comment. Facility design and construction of preferred snow storage facilities is to be determined by the Region on an individual basis.
Region of Peel:
Syeda Banuri, M.Eng., P.Eng.
Project Manager, Infrastructure Programming and Studies
Transportation, Public Works
10 Peel Centre Dr., Suite B, 4th Floor, Brampton, ON L6T 4B9
AECOM:
Bill Trenouth, Ph.D., P.Eng., PMP
Water Resources Engineer, Water
AECOM, Citi Plaza, 250 York Street Suite 410, London, ON N6A 6K2