Snow Plowing & Snow Removal FAQ - The City of Red Deer

O

ur equipment will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure safe driving conditions.

Q. How can I obtain a copy of the Snow & Ice Control policy?
A. See the City's Snow & Ice Control council policy and the Snow & Ice Control department policy.

Q. How often and where does the City sand roadways?
A. Sanding is an on-going operation that depends on weather conditions and safety concerns. Typically Priority One and Priority Two locations are sanded first after frost, freezing rain, or snow is deposited. The crews will then work on sanding trouble spots on Priority Three, Four and Five roadways. See the City Snow & Ice Street Control Map

Q. What criteria does the City use to classify roads on a priority scale?
A. The priority is set based on the roadway design, traffic volumes, traffic speed and, in the case of some Priority One locations, the steepness of road grade and susceptibility to icing.

Q. When does The City plow the streets?
A. After a snowfall of two and a half centimetres or more, we'll plow and windrow the Priority One and Priority Two locations. If five centimetres or more snow is received, we will remove the snow from the locations where storage space is limited. For more detailed information, please refer to

Snow & Ice Street Control Map.

Q. Are subdivisions cleared?
A. Because of the large expense, we only plow and windrow the residential streets if they become impassable to emergency vehicles. Clearing residential streets just once can easily cost over $700,000.

Q. If residential streets are plowed, where will the windrows be placed?
A. Windrow placement will go on alternate sides of the street and not depend on what year it is. For example, in the 2011/2012 winter season, windrows will be placed in front of odd numbered addresses if a general residential plowing occurs. The next time a general residential plowing occurs, whether it is the next year or a future year, the windrows will be placed in front of odd numbered addresses.

Q. If residential street plowing occurs, why are the windrows not removed?
A. Because of the high cost, windrows must be left on residential streets until spring to melt. Removing windrows from all residential streets can easily cost $500,000. In addition to the cost, Red Deer only has two snow storage sites available to haul snow to which can easily be at capacity after a large snow fall.

Q. Where do I report unsafe road conditions?
A. Please report unsafe road conditions to the Public Works Department by calling 403-342-8238.