Snow clearing

Strathcona County is committed to providing efficient services and maintaining safe conditions for residents throughout the winter season.

Keeping you moving safely

Based on the Winter Maintenance Policy (30.7 KB) , the County follows a priority system to manage snow and ice on winter roads. High-volume and high-speed roads in rural and urban areas are the first priority.

Winter Roads 101 (794.8 KB)  provides an overview of the priorities for Sherwood Park and rural Strathcona County. Snow removal is completed simultaneously in both areas.

• 1. Snow clearing in Sherwood Park

  County crews follow a priority system based on the Winter Maintenance Policy to clear winter roads. High-volume and high-speed roads are sanded and cleared first.

  Priority 1 – Major thoroughfares and arterials
  
  Snow accumulation of 2-5 cm
  
  Cleared within 12 hours after accumulation stops

  Priority 2 – Minor arterials and school drop zones 
  
  Snow accumulation of 5-7 cm 
  
  Cleared within 12 hours after accumulation stops 
  
  (drop zones within 72 hours)

  Priority 3 – Snow Routes (collector roads)
  
  Snow accumulation of 15-21 cm 
  
  Cleared within 8 days after accumulation stops

  To see a complete list of snow routes click here. 

  Priority 4 – Residential streets
  
  Snow accumulation of 10 cm compacted snow (7 cm after Jan.1) 
  
  Cleared within 12 days after accumulation stops

• 2. Snow clearing on rural roads

  County crews follow a priority system based on the Winter Maintenance Policy to clear winter roads. High-volume and high-speed roads are sanded and cleared first.

  Priority 1 – Major industrial roads 
  
  Snow accumulation of 2-5 cm 
  
  Cleared within 12 hours

  Priority 2 – Major thoroughfares that service schools and recreation facilities 
  
  Snow accumulation of 5-7 cm 
  
  Cleared within 12 hours (after priority 1 cleared)

  Priority 3 – Remaining grid roads 
  
  Snow accumulation of 5-7 cm 
  
  Cleared within 72 hours (after priority 2 cleared)

  Priority 4 – Country residential and Hamlet roads 
  
  Snow accumulation of 5-7 cm 
  
  Cleared within 48 hours (after priority 3 cleared)

• 3. Ice control

  Ice control on winter roads is ongoing throughout the winter months. Crews focus on intersections, hills and curves on high-traffic, high-speed roads first. Lower priority roads and intersections follow.

  Strathcona County uses a variety of methods to manage icy conditions depending on the weather and temperature. These include salt, sand and anti-icing solution.

  Ice is more difficult to manage at very cold temperatures. Salt is less effective at colder temperatures so the sand/salt ratio changes as temperatures drop. Anti-icing solution is most effective when applied before a snow event in temperatures as low as -29 degrees Celsius.

  Temperature & Material used

  • -7°C or warmer: Sand and salt mixture (best suited to this temperature)
  • -9°C to -29°C: Anti-icing solution *prior to a snowfall on select intersections and roadways
  • -15°C or warmer: Sand and salt mixture (contains less salt than above) *sand/salt wet calcium to help stick to the road
  • -15°C and colder: Sand only (salt is not effective below -18°C) *sand wet calcium to help stick to the road

  Remember that even when sand, salt or anti-icing products are applied, drivers still need to take caution driving in winter conditions. Always practice winter driving strategies such as:

  • Slowing down – the posted speed limit is for ideal conditions
  • Leave extra space – give yourself extra space between the vehicle in front of you

• 4. Sidewalks and trails

  Strathcona County maintains over 200 km of trails in Sherwood Park. After a snowfall, trails next to high priority roads and around schools and bus routes are cleared first. It will take up to eight days from the start of the snowfall to clear the snow.

• 5. Strathcona County Transit Stops

  Strathcona County Transit bus stops are cleared in conjuction with sidewalks and trails. Priority is given to stops located along arterial roads and then those located along collector roads.

• 6. County owned parking lots

  County owned parking lots are cleared following the completion of school drop off and when the snow depths meet our Winter Maintenance Policy guidelines of greater than 5 centimetres.

• 7. Curb ramps

  Curb ramps and all other items (i.e. basketball hoops) need to be removed from the roadway between November 1 and April 15 (as per Traffic Safety Bylaw 16-2015).

  Curb ramps slow down the snow clearing process and can damage the equipment. This can be extremely expensive and cause major delays in snow removal services for you and your neighbours while the equipment is under repair. Please note that if curb ramps are not removed by November 1, you could receive a fine.

  Please remove all these items and help us clear the snow!