Snow clearing

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

Graders clearing Baseline Road after a snow fall

Keeping you moving safely

Strathcona 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.

Visit our snow priorities map to see your road classification.

1. Snow clearing in Sherwood Park Permanent link to 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.

Visit our snow priorities map to see your road classification.

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 Permanent link to 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. Sidewalks and trails Permanent link to 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.

Under the County’s sidewalk clearing bylaw, residents have eight days from the start of a snowfall to clear the areas adjacent to their property. Visit our sidewalk clearing page for tips and to learn about free rock chips you can use to manage icy areas around your home.
4. Strathcona County Transit Stops Permanent link to 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.
5. County owned parking lots Permanent link to 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.
6. Curb ramps Permanent link to 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!