Edmonton prepping for winter with improved services, parking bans, snow plow contest

The City of Edmonton is promising an improved “winter experience” when it comes to its snow and ice removal, as well as some additional measures over the winter months.

Thanks to $4.7 million funding approved by council earlier in the year, certain operations will immediately see some changes, including additional equipment and more consistency in services being provided. The money is also expected to address staffing issues.

“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.”

While only 57 per cent of city equipment tackled winter roads last season, the city says, overall, Edmontonians will see more snow-clearing equipment on roads. This will allow for larger areas to be cleared in a more timely manner. On top of quicker snow clearing, there will be more snow removal around schools and an increase in coverage in residential areas.

That being said, the city will not be doing bare pavement plowing in residential 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.”

Parking bans

One of the factors that will lead to an increase in efficiency for snow removal is temporary parking bans.

When it snows, city officials will issue either a phase one or phase two parking ban (both listed below). When those are called, bylaw officers will be giving out tickets to all those in breach of the parking ban, and some Edmontonians may find cars being towed.

“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.

McKeown says “when vehicles are off the roads, crews can clear roads much quicker and more efficiently,” adding , “Edmontonians can expect priority one roads to be cleared in four days, and that’s an increase compared to last year.”

• 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.

Parking ban notifications

The city is offering a new parking ban notification tool.

Once you sign up, you will get a text and/or email notifications once a parking ban has been issued, and receive notice up to 24 hours before crews clear your area of residence.

Those who have signed up will also get a notification once the parking ban has been lifted for their area.

Anyone who signed up for the previous edition of the parking ban notification system will have to sign up again. All those looking to do so can find more information here.

Curbside collections

Starting Nov. 1, the city will be moving to its winter schedule for curbside pickups.

The only change Edmontonians will see for bin collection is food scraps carts will be collected every two weeks, until April 2023.

The food scrap cart will be picked up on opposite weeks from garbage collection.

Edmontonians can see a detailed list of collection days on the WasteWise app, which can be downloaded in the Google Play or Apple App stores or by visiting the City of Edmonton website.

Name a Plow Contest

As five new snow plows are being introduced to the city, Edmontonians are being asked to participate in the Name a Plow contest.

The contest will run until Dec. 18, with the plows being given their new names in the New Year.

Anyone can participate, however, the city is asking that the entry be self-made and should be connected to Edmonton as a winter city.

Some names already submitted include, SnowBeGONE Kenobi, Snowy McPlow, Wish I Was a Zamboni, and Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Snow Clearing Machiney.

Those wanting to participate in the contest can do so here.

-With files from Courtney Theriault