Edmonton mulls more snow removal funds to clear sidewalks and bus stops

Snow clearing — it’s a hot topic, though not one many Edmontonians are likely thinking about when they’re enjoying the summer heat in August.

But preparing for winter was on city councillors’ minds Monday as they discussed whether to increase time and money spent on clearing snow from bus stops and sidewalks to improve accessibility.  Council reviewed four options that could see between $3.5 million and $19 million added to the snow removal budget. 

Alberta Avenue business owners were also hoping the city could collaborate on a plan to share snow clearing costs with BIAs.

“If you take a stroll outside of our city during winter, you’ll see pooling of water that turns into ice rinks as you try to cross the streets. That is one of the largest problems we see across our district,”  Erick Estrada, executive director of the Alberta Avenue Business Association, told CityNews Monday.

“We think including Business Improvement Areas into these priorities is critical, especially if there are businesses that are willing to partner and increases their accessibility front of their stores.”

Added spending could also be used to clear more school zones and transit hubs, to hire more bylaw officers to enforce the city’s sidewalk-clearing rules for private property,  and to fix more broken sidewalks and keep them clear in the winter.

Council’s Community and Public Services Committee ultimately deferred the vote to the fall budget, recommending the $8-million option.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi told reporters city council has already increased snow clearing budgets by 20 per cent but he would like to add more funding, especially with more sidewalks being built as the city grows.

“We have invested back in so much to the level that we could have under the circumstances of the financial challenges that we have been facing,” he said. “But at the same time, this is an area that Edmontonians want to continue for us to invest in.”

Accessibility during the winter is also a concern for council.

“They cannot get to the bus stop, or they cannot get other homes during wintertime when they need to have access to outside amenities,” Sohi said. “I think that’s where focusing on these accessibility issues and investing more into this area, I think is a step in the right direction.”