Getting from point A to point B could take you a little longer this winter if you plan on using residential streets in Owen Sound.

City Council is taking a look at changing its winter road maintenance program -- increasing the time span and volume of snow accumulation on residential roads before removal starts.

The response to the downtown core and arterial roadways will remain the same and snow removal will be done as the first shift starts.

But, for what is classified as secondary, local and dead end or cul-de-sac roadways -- it could be days before you see a snowplow.

Right now snow removal begins immediately on all roads.

With the new plan local roadways won't see any snow removal until 10 centimetres has fallen within 24 hours.

For dead end roads -- that wait could be up to two days -- with the proposal having snow removal start after the accumulation of 15 centimetres over 48 hours.

Director of Operations, Brad McRoberts, says this will result in a cost saving of almost 100 thousand dollars.

The snow removal schedule has also changed, with the first shift of workers heading out at 4 AM and working until 12 Noon.

McRoberts says this will cut down on paying out overtime wages and use less fuel.

Right now the budget for snow removal is nearly 1.3 million dollars.

McRoberts says they will educate and inform the public through open sessions on the issue, then implement a final plan in time for winter.

However, there is some good news for your cars and the environment this winter.

The city has made the switch from salt to a 90/10 sand and salt mix to cover the residential roads.