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

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)

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.
• Rock chips are used in residential areas and on County-owned parking lots, trails and sidewalks.

Temperature and material used

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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!