(Photo 131258386 © Lopolo | Dreamstime.com)

By Alessia Proietti

red routes: Gaetz Ave., 67 St., 32 St., Taylor Dr.

New snow & ice pilot program: City says arterial roads expected to be cleared by Friday

Oct 25, 2023 | 5:02 PM

The City of Red Deer says they’re currently working on removing snow and ice slabs from streets, with arterial roads expected to be cleared by Friday morning.

The city saw its first significant snowfall on Monday with an estimated 10-15 cm over the past two days, according to a forecasted warning by Environment Canada.

Since Monday, Doug Halldorson, Road Superintendent with the City’s Parks and Public Works, says crews have been out clearing the streets.

This June, city council approved a new pilot program for residential snow and ice control, outlining four key principles to guide how roads are maintained year-round.

READ: New pilot program for residential snow and ice control to begin this winter in Red Deer

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Greg Sikora, Manager of Parks and Public Works, said the revised Integrated and Accessible Transportation Policy was more proactive, faster, and flexible for crews.

On the City’s website, they divide their 1,200 kilometres of roads and over 250 km of sidewalks and trails using a colored route system with a priority timeline.

(City of Red Deer)

(City of Red Deer)

Halldorson said all purple roads, deemed high collision areas, have been completed and crews are concentrating on red routes like 32 Street, Taylor Drive, 67 Street, and Gaetz Avenue.

“The timeline to complete that [red routes] is 72 hours after our snowfall so by Friday, Friday morning, the roads should be fairly back, winter driving conditions obviously, but they’ll be a lot better,” he said.

He says large amounts of ice have been shown to form during the first snowfalls of the year as warmer temperatures from days prior leave the ground warm enough to begin melting some of the snow.

However, he says cold temperatures quickly freeze the snow before crews can plow them, leaving more snow to fall on top of the ice.

“Drive with care, give yourself a little more time and we’re out there as well,” he said.

He says snow clearing consists of using graters to crush the ice as well as sanders which are mixed with salt, and claims roads are getting better every day. He adds they must be environmentally cautious before using more salt and take into consideration that its effectiveness is drastically reduced once temperatures hit -13C.

He says sidewalk clearing started on Tuesday morning. The City states on thier website that they clear around 130 km throughout the city within three days of snowfall.

Halldorson says the city has around 60 staff members who clear the snow, working on a rotating schedule of about 20 at a time.

The City has 16 trucks, six graters and four sidewalk machines, hiring external equipment when necessary.

“Drive [for] winter conditions, drive with care, and just give us room to work,” he said. “Be cautious as you’re passing the snowplows.”

The City will be releasing more details on their snow and ice pilot program in the upcoming days.