Peel Region’s spring street cleaning is set to start next week

April 17, 2014 · 0 Comments

Peel Region will begin the annual spring street cleaning the week of April 21 and finish around the end of June.
Street cleaning removes the dirt, sand and debris left over from the winter and improves road and community safety. A clean road with less dirt and sand improves traction and reduces flying debris on windy days. Street cleaning reduces the amount of unwanted materials that enter streams and rivers, as well as maintaining an efficient storm sewer system. Work in Mississauga and south Brampton is being conducted at night to minimize impact to traffic. Work in north Brampton and Caledon will be completed during daytime.
Residents and businesses should be aware of the following:
• Night time work will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weeknights, while daytime work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
• Lanes will be closed one at a time. Anticipate merging traffic.
• Drivers should stay clear of street sweepers and use extra caution at intersections where sweepers may be weaving around islands.
The first phase involves cleaning all splash pads, curbs, islands, centre medians and removing all debris from streets where large pieces are picked up by hand. Street sweepers will sweep dirt and grime into the curb side. Phase two then begins and involves street sweeper vehicles and flusher trucks to sweep and wash, removing the dirt and grime from the road. Due to the large volume of water used, work will not occur when temperatures are below freezing.
Fallen tree branches from the December ice storm are still present on the boulevards. Peel’s road maintenance staffs are clearing dangerous branches overhanging roads and sidewalks. Much of the initial branch cleanup will occur in the spring and be completed by end of May (does not include tree trimming, just removal of fallen branches on boulevards). The cleanup and assessment of damage will continue throughout 2014 as once trees bloom, further damage could result from internal stress not immediately visible.
A schedule of when specific streets will be cleaned and brush cleanup can be viewed online at peelregion.ca/roadmaintenance
The spring street cleaning is the first step to other maintenance activities, such as repainting of traffic lines that start in spring and continue over the summer. Other post-winter activities beginning in April and early May include the removal of roadside litter, minor boulevard repairs, straightening of road signs, safety barrier repairs and grass cutting on boulevards.