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When snow falls, the City works hard to keep Edmonton’s streets safe. To ensure our roads, bike lanes and multi-use trails are as safe as possible, we need your help. Find out more about how the City responds to snow on major roads and in your neighbourhood.
The first response to all snowfalls is to apply sand or salt, depending on conditions, to main roads and bus routes. Plowing starts when snow has accumulated on the main roads and the weather forecast calls for continued snowfall.
A variety of factors are taken into account with a focus on safety, including traffic speed, traffic volume, width of the road, and factors in the road design, for example: are there crossroads or hills present that add a unique safety concern to a segment of road? The road priorities as outlined in the current Snow and Ice Control policy are:
During parking bans, you can use the route status map to see which phase of the ban streets are part of and the status of clearing as crews complete work.
City trucks currently do not have GPS locators to accurately track their locations. In previous years, a plow map was posted on the City’s website, however it was updated manually and only three times per day, which did not allow for the most accurate and current status of roads.
On main roads, snow is placed in boulevards or left on roads. In cul-de-sacs, snow is stacked in the centre and removed during a clearing operation. No snow is placed in fields or in parks due to environmental concerns.
Snow that gets removed from roads is trucked to one of four snow storage sites (snow dumps).
This action violates municipal bylaws and results in a fine of $250, contributes to unsafe driving and walking conditions, increases the cost of providing winter road maintenance and can lead to blocked storm drains. If you do not have room for snow on your property, you can haul it to one of four approved snow storage facilities (snow dumps) in Edmonton free of charge.
Protected bike lanes are cleared within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall as many of these areas connect with multi-use trails, and are used by many types of users - including pedestrians with strollers, those with mobility devices and cyclists. This level of service is defined in the Snow and Ice Control policy.
Painted bike lanes are cleared at the same time as adjacent main roads to ensure all travellers on busy routes are entitled to the same road maintenance standards, regardless of mode. Painted bike lanes are not cleared to bare pavement, but to the same level of service as the road they are on. Some painted bike lanes connecting two segments of protected bike lanes may be cleared a little faster to ensure safe travel between the two protected bike lane areas.
Snow clearing is a shared responsibility. In order for roads to be cleared efficiently, Edmontonians and the City are partners in helping achieve safe and livable roads in neighbourhoods in the winter.
Calcium chloride brine is not used as an anti-icing or deicing agent on roads. Calcium chloride with a corrosion inhibitor is currently only used for the following purposes:
Edmonton has some unique challenges: its climate, population density, and the amount of roads and paths that the City is responsible for clearing.
An important and transformational enhancement to the Snow and Ice Control program is the implementation of a parking ban to improve residential snow clearing.
Starting in the 2020-21 winter season, the City is implementing a full citywide parking ban that will operate in two phases. During the first phase, no parking is allowed on arterial roads, roads within Business Improvement Areas, and roads marked with seasonal no parking signage (collector roads and bus routes).
After work on those roads is complete, Phase 2 will begin. At this point, parking would be prohibited on residential and industrial roads. Residents will need to arrange for alternative parking such as parking in their driveway or garage, in surplus parking on a neighbours property (with permission) or on cleared collector roads and bus routes, many of which are within neighbourhoods.
A ban will provide clearer roads that are easier and safer to navigate. By not having to move around parked vehicles, operators can blade from curb-to-curb, blading neighbourhoods faster, safer, and more efficiently.
The City heard from the public through engagement that residents want quicker service and clearer roads, especially in their neighbourhoods. To achieve safe travel conditions as quickly as possible, Edmontonians play a key role in supporting City staff and contractors by moving their vehicles off the street during snow plow events.
The parking ban will operate in two phases, with parking options depending on which phase the ban is in.
Phase 1: Where can I park?
Phase 2: Where can I park?
No.
Zoning Bylaw Section 45(7) Prohibited/Restricted Objects in Residential Zones
In the front yard of any site in any residential zone, or in the case of a corner site, in the front yard or the flanking side yard in any residential zone:
Sign up for email notifications. When a parking ban is called, you will be sent an email at the start of Phase 1 and Phase 2, as well as to end the Parking Ban.
You can also find out about the ban on the news, on the front of ETS buses, on the large digital traffic signs throughout the City, and by following the City on Facebook or Twitter.
The City has developed the Snow and Ice Clearing Route Status Map which you can use to find out which roads fall into Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the ban. When a ban is declared, the map will be used to show what roads are planned to be completed, and what has been done.
By introducing a two-phase ban, people will be able to park their cars on roads cleared during Phase 1 at the time Phase 2 clearing begins. These collector roads and bus routes within neighbourhoods are within roughly 400 metres of most homes in that area, as the City has regulations regarding walking distances to bus stops.
Parking bans would only be in effect for a specific amount of time on residential streets. We strive to have residential roads cleared within 72 hours once signs are placed in neighbourhoods. Watch for signage in your neighbourhood to signal clearing is underway, or check the route status map.
The parking ban is going to have some growing pains as the public adjusts to these new restrictions. We’re all in this together, and we’ll be listening and learning from the feedback we receive this year.
Phase 1 is anticipated to last approximately 48 hours. Phase 2 would last five to seven days overall, but the impact to individual communities is expected to be less time, approximately 72 hours. In each phase, residents would be able to park on the street once it has been cleared.
The City will communicate the start of the Phase 1, Phase 2, and to call off the ban. During the ban, residents may still park on any road segment that has been cleared where parking is normally allowed. Refer to the Snow and Ice Clearing Route Status Map to find out which roads fall into Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the ban.
Every storm is different, and there are a lot of variables like ambient air temperature, pavement temperature and anticipated accumulation. We work to be as efficient as possible, but it's difficult to predict with absolute certainty how much ground we cover in a given day.
People living in a cul-de-sac would be under a parking ban during Phase 2. This is to ensure that these areas do not become the neighbourhood parking lot during the winter season, that residents can continue to move in and out of their property, and that emergency services, and waste collection can continue to navigate these areas.
While a cul-de-sac wouldn't be receiving snow clearing as part of the parking ban, they will be receiving enhanced snow removal, where crews stack and remove all the snow in the area. This service is significantly above what other residential roads receive.
A parking ban would improve the speed and efficiency of our plow crews. The City’s focus isn’t necessarily speed, it’s safety. A parking ban would deliver safest conditions, while also improving the speed component of clearing.
The City understands that it will take time for all Edmontians to be made aware of the new parking ban and when it impacts parking on their street. Vehicles parked on the street during the ban will impact the ability of City staff and contractors to deliver high-quality, efficient service. As compliance increases, so will the quality of snow removal service.
Yes, crews will be working straight through the weekend, when in previous years they would not be on residential roads during this time.
This winter season, we will be focusing on education, encouraging people to make alternative parking arrangements during parking bans, educating residents of upcoming parking restrictions during parking ban phases, and monitoring compliance. However, issuing fines or tickets remains an active part of our toolkit to ensure compliance. The fine is $100, and towing will continue to be used in limited circumstances.
We want to minimize the amount of time in which business improvement areas are disrupted from parking restrictions.
Business improvement areas (BIA) would be receiving snow clearing as part of the first phase of the ban, with these areas cleared within 36 hours. With these roads cleared quickly, we hope that the short term impacts of the parking ban would be balanced by improved, safer access to on-street parking in BIA areas.
Current service levels are determined by Council through the Snow and Ice Control Policy.
Many municipalities have a form of a parking ban during the winter.
For example, Ottawa, Halifax and Red Deer all have some variation of a parking ban similar to what we currently have with our Seasonal Parking Bans.
Parking will be restricted on roads that are under a specific phase of the parking ban. For example, during Phase 1, you would not need to move your vehicle from your residential roads, but would have to follow restrictions on arterial and collector roads. During Phase 2, parking would be restricted on residential roads, but you could park your vehicle on roads that have already been cleared, including arterial and collector roads where parking is normally allowed, and on your residential road after it has been cleared.
Sign up for email notifications. You will be sent an email at the start of the Phase 1 and Phase 2, as well as to call off the Parking Ban. You can also find out about the ban on the news, on the front of ETS buses, on digital traffic signs throughout the City, and by following the City’s Facebook or Twitter accounts. Signs will also be placed in neighbourhoods where crews are working.
Overall, we expect Phase 1 would last approximately 48 hours, and Phase 2 would impact residents for approximately 1 and 3 days. During the ban, you may still park on any road segment that has been cleared where parking is normally allowed. Refer to the route status map and additional information at edmonton.ca/safetravels.
If the ban is still in Phase 1, that phase will simply restart. The ban will remain in effect and will be extended accordingly.
If the ban is in Phase 2, the ban will return to Phase 1. Once that work is complete, the teams will return to residential areas, and will start where they left off. Residential areas previously completed in Phase 2 will still be done, but will receive service at the end of the phase. The ban will remain in effect for the duration of the work.
The City understands this may be challenging for some residents and we have not taken the decision to implement a more extensive parking ban lightly. The City heard that Edmontonians would like us to clear snow and ice on residential streets more often. This is why, along with some of the more routine things like clearing snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property, residents play a critical role in the clearing of roads by moving vehicles off of the public road.
The City won't call a parking ban each time we clear snow on your streets - just after big snowfalls, or if conditions like ruts and slush need more work. While bans are weather dependent, the City normally calls about 4 bans each winter.
We can work together to achieve safe travel conditions as quickly as possible.
People with accessible parking stalls will not be asked or expected to move their vehicles for snow plow events. If a vehicle remains on the street, operators will continue to do their best to not leave a windrow. We would encourage people with accessible parking stalls to call 311 or use the 311 app to report snow impacting mobility, and crews would return to remove these.
If you have an accessible parking stall and cannot move your vehicle to help the plow operator clear your stall, they will do their best to minimize any snow left around the vehicle. These stalls would not be subject to the ban, and no tickets would be given to these vehicles. Residents can call 311 to request a spot plow once the vehicle is moved.
We encourage neighbours to make parking spaces available to those in need. This is now possible due to Open Option Parking. By having a multi-phase ban, residents would also be able to park in areas that were cleared during the first phase of the ban, and on any road segment, including residential roads, that have been cleared.
Residential roads receiving blading in two circumstances. These roads are bladed to a level snow pack of about 5 cm, not cleared to bare pavement.
No notice will be provided for regular maintenance work. We recommend that Edmontonians move vehicles off the street during the winter to allow crews to complete more efficient blading.
A minimum of 8 hours notice will be provided before a parking ban takes effect.
Make a parking plan for when a parking ban is in effect.
Snow and Ice Clearing Route Status Map
This map also highlights which phase of the ban each road is a part of to help you plan accordingly.
Edmontonians should also watch for signage in their neighbourhoods once clearing is scheduled to remind them to move vehicles off the road.
In neighbourhoods, truck plows blade the snow to a level snow pack. Windrows will not be removed unless they are more than 30 cm high and they block a driveway. Removing all windrows during every blading cycle would require vast increases in personnel, equipment and time. The volume of snow would also exceed the capacity of our snow storage sites. If a windrow has been left behind blocking your driveway and is more than 30cm high, please call 311 to report it to the City.
Alleys will be cleared at the same time as residential roads during the second phase of a parking ban. Alleys will also receive increased maintenance between snow events to keep these snowpacks smooth and avoid ruts.
Please call 311 or use the 311 app to report a blocked catch basin.
The City sands and salts roads and walkways as required with sanding trucks and sidewalk plows that operate as needed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from October to April.
The sand mix is a mixture of sand, salt, rock chips (which are being phased out of the mix) and calcium chloride brine. The City follows a matrix for determining the specific ratios of sand, salt and chip required to combat icy or snowy conditions depending on the conditions. Edmonton is one of the lowest salt users of Canada’s major cities - salt accounts for only 12 to 18% of the materials applied to the roads annually.
The City uses a combination of sand and salt on roads to improve traction and melt snow and ice. The ratio of each differs depending on the conditions, and leads to variations in colour.
Salt used in the winter traction sand mix is pink because of small amounts of potassium chloride (potash) and traces of iron content. When combined with the sand (which also has iron), the mix becomes a brown colour. Also, when we pre-wet our sand mix with liquid calcium chloride the mix can be even darker.
Our sand is actually very clean sand. The darker colour might make it look dirty, but its appearance does not take away from the effectiveness.
Contact your community league directly and request the sandbox service. The community league can then contact the City to get a sandbox. It’s the league’s responsibility to keep the sandbox full.
Alternatively, individuals can pick up free sand from each of the City’s roadway maintenance yards.
A windrow is a pile of snow on the side of road that was created by snow plowing equipment. Windrows that cross driveways and are higher than 30 cm are cleared by the City - crews will open up a single lane width (approximately 3.5m). Residents are responsible for clearing the remaining windrow.
The City will be clearing windrows where required from:
On roads designated with the Seasonal Parking ban, smaller equipment will be working with the graders to open up driveway entrances but there may be delays.
In neighbourhoods, windrows will not be removed but crews will work to minimize the height of windrows at driveway entrances. As these windrows can restrict on-street parking, residents are encouraged to park their vehicles on their property (for example, on driveways, parking pads or in garages).
City crews, when plowing or blading roads, try their best to ensure that windrows do not encroach on sidewalks. In some cases when there is a lot of snow, some may spill onto sidewalks. The City is provided some leeway by Bylaw Enforcement in this regard, and can encroach on sidewalks approximately 0.5 metres. However, if the spillover impacts use of the sidewalk itself, crews are required to bring in equipment to clear it away.
If windrows are blocking sidewalks or have caused a safety concern. If the problem is communicated to the City through 311, crews will be sent out within 1-2 days.
The City will only clear windrows in front of driveways if they are higher than 30 cm (12 inches/1 foot). Please keep in mind that the equipment providing this service may be following a few hours behind the blading crews.
| Telephone | In Edmonton: 311 |
|---|---|
| TTY | 780-944-5555 |
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