Winter Maintenance Policy 501, Procedure Section 500:

City Council has set six (6) priority ratings for roads as follows and as shown in Appendix A:

Priority 1: Emergency Routes, Arterial and Industrial Roads and School Zones

• Cleared in twenty-four (24) hours after the end of a snow event.
• Roads will be plowed to remove snow as close to the road surface as possible.
• Snow removal when snow on the road or windrows (snow piles created from plowing) exceed one (1) metre in height, blocks flow of traffic or sight lines.
• Ice control will be provided at major intersections, railway crossings, school zones, hills, curves and bridges.

Priority 2: Collector Roads

• Cleared forty-eight (48) hours after the end of a snow event.
• Roads will be plowed to remove snow as close to the road surface as possible.
• Snow removal when snow on the road or windrows (snow piles created from plowing) exceed one (1) metre in height, blocks flow of traffic or sight lines.
• Ice control will be provided at major intersections, railway crossings, school zones, hills, curves and bridges.

Priority 3: Rural Roads

• Cleared forty-eight (48) hours after the end of a snow event.
• Road will be plowed to remove snow, but varying depths may be left in accordance with what is required to minimize driving difficulties and loss of surface material.
• Snow removal may begin to provide unrestricted travel lanes, windrows removed if only they exceed storage capacities, cause impassable drifting, begin to interfere with lane width or create potential drainage issues.
• Ice control will be provided at intersections, railway crossings, hills and curves.

Priority 4: City-Owned Parking Lots

• Plowed after winter maintenance activities have concluded seventy-two (72) hours after the end of a snow event. 
• Paved Parking areas: plowed to remove snow as close as possible to road surface. 
• Unpaved Parking areas: plowed to remove snow, but snow of varying depths may be left in accordance with what is required to minimize driving difficulties and loss of surface material. 
• Current weather conditions will govern when the required maintenance is performed on parking lots.
• The prime objective is to schedule this winter maintenance to be completed prior to 8:30 am on regular work days or as resources permit after meeting the objectives of Priority 1-3 routes.
• Snow removal operations will be initiated when parking is compromised and ice control will be provided as required. 
• City-owned parking areas to be maintained are shown in Appendix A.

Priority 5: Local Residential Roads

• Roads shall be plowed and have winter maintenance activities concluded when the road is rendered impassable, extenuating circumstances exist or as determined by the Roads Supervisor.
• Roads may be bladed flat to minimize rutting but snowpack of varying depths will be left in accordance with what is required to minimize driving difficulty when extenuating circumstances exist.
• Snow removal operations will be limited to providing for adequate sight lines when the road is rendered impassable or extenuating circumstances exist
• Ice control will be provided on intersections, playground zones and curves.

Priority 6: Complaints and Requests

• Complaints and requests received will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and the judgement of the Roads Supervisor.

What You Can Do

• Check out our Winter Maintenance Policy and procedures.
• As per our Snow Removal Bylaw, you are required to clear your sidewalk of snow within 48 hours of snowfall. Snow is not to be shoveled onto the road.
• Drive carefully when passing or following the plow trucks. We appreciate your cooperation and respect for everyone’s safety.
• Winter roads can be slick and dangerous. Remember to drive to the conditions. Transport Canada and Alberta Transportation (Safe Roads) have helpful websites with safe winter driving tips.

Snow Route Parking Bans 

• Sign up to receive Voyent Alerts on your cell phone or by email when a Snow Route Parking Ban is issued.
• For more information about parking bans, visit the Snow Routes & Parking Bans page.

1. Where do I put the snow from my sidewalk and driveway?
2. When does the City clear snow from the streets?
3. Are all residential streets maintained in the winter?

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