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Sweeping of City Street - 2010

Now that the snow has gone, Roads and Parks Operations will be carrying out the annual Spring Street Sweeping Program to clean all City streets of sand deposited during winter control and other debris.  Spring street sweeping improves water quality and the environment by removing pollutants that can be transferred to downstream water bodies through urban runoff.  The Street Sweeping Program also improves the cleanliness and aesthetics of City of Barrie streets and parking lots throughout the City.

The Spring Street Sweeping Program has been completed by various Contractors in recent years but will be completed by City staff this year in an effort to provide more consistent and efficient delivery of street sweeping services.

Sweeping usually starts in mid-April, approximately the week of April 6^th.  The sweeping operations are expected to be completed by May 15^th weather permitting.  Arterial roads will be swept first followed by residential streets.  Sand that is swept from roads is disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner at the Landfill site where it is used for covering waste.

The sweeping program consists of a 3 to 4 part process as follows: 

1. Flushing streets with water to move sand to the curb;
2. A mechanical sweeper capable of picking up heavy sand deposits and debris makes a pass of the street (this could be a few days later);
3. A second pass of the street with a vacuum sweeper to remove any fine material that may remain; and
4. A final flush of the street with water to remove any remaining materials from the road.

To help us provide the best service possible, please do not push sand into piles on the road as the sweeper cannot pick them up.  When possible, please minimize residential street parking during this process to ensure best results.  If this should happen, City staff will note such obstructions and will return at a later time.

If you should have any questions regarding this year’s Spring Street Sweeping Program please contact the City’s Operations Department, Roads and Parks Operations Branch at 705-739-4255 select the Roads option #1.

1.   When will my street be swept?

      Street sweeping will begin approximately the mid of April, weather permitting, and will continue until all streets have been swept.

2.   There was a car parked in front of my residence; will the City of Barrie come back and sweep this area?

The City of Barrie is asking residents to call the Operations Department at 739-4255, if there was a vehicle parked in front of their house when the sweeper came down their street.  We will make every effort to return the next day and have that area swept.

3.   The sweepers left a pile of sand that I swept up on the road.   Why?

      Sweepers are designed to sweep only normal build up of sand on the curb edge.  Any sand that is swept into a pile by the resident cannot be swept up by the sweeper, as this machine is not capable of doing so.  Please leave sand in its normal state, as the sweepers can make the most production out of this.

4.   Where do the sweepers start each year and how is this determined?

      City street sweeping will commence in the northeast corner of the City and work towards the Landfill (272 Ferndale Drive North) working in conjunction with another unit beginning in the southeast corner and working back towards the Landfill.

5.   What is the actual sweeping process?

      The process is a three or four part process.

      First, a street flusher will flush all the sand from the center of the road to the curb; reason being, the flushers push all the bulk sand to the curb for easier pick up from the sweeper. This process may occur two or three days ahead of the actual sweeper coming through your area.  Next, the street is then swept followed by the street flusher passing again in order to flush the fine sand.

6.   The sweeper went by and I’ve been left with a bigger mess than before. 

      Sometimes the actual sweeping process is a two part process. The first sweeper that goes by is designed to pick up the bulk of the sand. Following that, another sweeper will pick up the finer sand and do a clean up pass.

      Another reason could be a result of rain. If the roads become too wet the sand tends to get spread around, appearing to be messy.  The City will not sweep in the rain for this very reason, but if the City is commencing sweeping and it starts to rain, the sweeper will come back and re-sweep the area.

7.   My street was not swept.  Why?

      Unassumed streets within the City of Barrie are not swept by City of Barrie forces; they are the responsibility of the Developer.  If your area is unassumed, please call your Developer regarding the condition of your street.  Also, streets that are under guaranteed maintenance through the Developer are not swept.  Again, please contact the Developer of your area.

This is a City of Barrie Street Sweeper:

The Green Machine (Sidewalk Cleaner):

For more information, please contact the Operations Department at telephone 705-739-4255, select the Roads option #1.