October 27, 2022
The winter forecast calls for an improved experience when it comes to Edmonton’s Snow and Ice Control, helping ensure safe mobility no matter how Edmontonians choose to travel across the city. Edmontonians will also have the opportunity to sign up for a new parking ban notification tool that now includes text notifications and advanced notification of clearing in specific areas.
“This year, we want to ensure that everyone who lives, works and plays in Edmonton has an improved winter experience,” said Craig McKeown, Branch Manager, Parks and Roads Service. “Additional funding provided by Council will help enable the City’s operations to be more effective in responding to winter weather conditions, providing more consistency in what Edmontonians can expect.”
“When it snows, we are out working. Edmontonians will see an improved experience in road and pathway clearing when the snow starts to fall in 2022,” said Valerie Dacyk, General Supervisor, Infrastructure Field Operations. “More crews will be seen clearing roads, pathways and City walkways. Edmonton is a winter city and we know that every day, people travel across our city in a variety of ways.”
2022/23 Improvements
Edmontonians can expect to see the following improvements in snow and ice operations, this year:
- Improved experience - Earlier this year, City Council provided additional funding for Snow and Ice Control that will help enable operations to be more effective in responding to winter weather conditions, which will provide more consistency in service.
- More equipment on the road and larger areas covered more quickly.
- Additional pick up of collected snow around school zones.
- More frequent residential maintenance which includes the grooming of snowpack.
- The addition of three supplier-filled large sandbox sites for public access.
- This season, the City will not be doing bare pavement plowing in residential areas, which will reduce windrows and catch basin issues in spring.
As part of the in-season enhancements for this year, Edmontonians can expect to see ticketing and towing as a tool to contribute to the speed, efficiency and quality of snow and ice clearing throughout the city. It should be noted that the current bylaw ticket is $100, however, amendments to the traffic bylaw are on the agenda to be discussed at an upcoming Council meeting, which may result in an increase of this fine up to $250.
“Snow removal is a shared responsibility and when vehicles are parked in areas that crews come to clear, it means a reduction in the effectiveness of the snow removal,” said Dacyk.
Improved Parking Ban Notification Tool
Starting today, Edmontonians are invited to sign up for a new parking ban notification tool that allows them to get improved notifications about snow clearing in areas that affect them during a parking ban. Residents will be able to choose to receive a text and/or email notification, and receive that notification up to 24 hours in advance of crews clearing their area. Once the crews have completed the area, a second notification will be sent to the resident letting them know. This new tool helps increase the convenience of moving vehicles off the streets and the efficiency of snow clearing.
People receiving notifications in previous years will have to create a new account and indicate their preferences for communication. Residents can sign up by visiting
edmonton.ca/SafeTravels.
Priority Clearing and Parking Ban
When it snows, there’s a priority clearing system designed to keep Edmontonians safe and traffic flowing smoothly. Roadways and Active Pathways have their own teams and specialized equipment to complete clearing. That way, the service that they deliver does not compete with each other.
The City has the option to call a two-phased parking ban, allowing for improved service when conditions require it. The citywide parking ban consists of the following:
- Phase 1 - Major Roads: Crews clear arterial and collector roads, bus routes and business improvement areas. You may continue to park on your residential street.
- Phase 2 - Residential and Industrial Roads: Crews clear residential and industrial roads. You may park in your driveway, in a parking space on a neighbour's property with their permission, or on any road cleared during Phase 1 where parking is allowed normally.
Name a Plow Contest
This year, we are excited to invite all Edmontonians to participate in the Name a Plow contest! Everyone is invited to submit their most creative ideas by visiting
edmonton.ca/SafeTravels. Five plows will be named and have those names displayed on them for the season.
