Snow and Ice Control

The Town of Stony Plain maintains approximately 171 km of Town-owned roadways and 98 km of sidewalks. Snow plowing and ice control are delivered on a priority basis to maintain safety and access across the community.

Sanding and ice control are carried out as needed throughout the winter to address slippery conditions. Snow plowing on priority roadways typically begins once approximately 5 cm of snow has accumulated, when conditions allow crews to operate safely.

Snow plowing and ice control are prioritised in the following order:

• Arterial roads
• School zones
• Collector roads

The Snow and Ice Control Map shows road classifications used to prioritize snow plowing and ice control, as defined in the Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy. The map is for information purposes only and does not show live operations or indicate when snow plowing or snow removal will occur on individual streets.

Highways 16A, 779, and 628 are provincial roadways and are maintained by the Government of Alberta. Current highway conditions are available through 511 Alberta. For provincial highway inquiries, call 403-340-5166.

To report a concern related to Town-maintained roads or sidewalks, use Report It or contact Public Works at 780-963-2469.

Residential snow removal may occur once the snowpack reaches approximately 10 cm or when emergency access could be restricted. Timing also depends on conditions and operational priorities. 

Not all neighbourhoods are serviced at the same time. The neighbourhood rotation order changes each year to ensure fairness. If a neighbourhood was last the previous year, it will now be first this year. Once this neighbourhood has had its turn being first its bumped down one spot each year.

Crews do their best to remove the snow and ice down to the pavement, but this may not always be possible due to weather and surface conditions.

In some cases, ice and snow may be pushed onto the sidewalk during residential snow removal. Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks after crews have been through the area.

Snow clearing will not occur on garbage days, schedules may be adjusted to accommodate garbage collection days.

In some areas, such as cul-de-sacs or corners, crews may need to make more than one pass to complete snow removal.

Remove vehicles prior to snow removal and do not return vehicles to the street until crews have completed snow removal and signs (if placed) have been removed.

Driveway ramps must be removed, as they can damage snow removal equipment and delay operations.

Moving Vehicles and Other Barriers

Move all barriers from roadways so crews can operate safely and efficiently Items placed within the roadway, including vehicles basketball hoops, and driveway ramps, may be damaged during snow removal. The Town is not responsible for damage to obstructions placed in the road right-of-way.

Windrows 

Snow plowing may leave snow piles at the end of driveways or along sidewalks. Property owners are responsible for clearing these snow piles when they are 30 cm high or less.

Fire hydrants

Keep fire hydrants accessible so emergency crews can access them. This includes clearing snow and ice from the hydrant, maintaining a  clear space of at least one metre around it, and ensuring a clear path from the sidewalk and or street.

Sidewalks

Clearing sidewalks helps prevent slips and falls and supports safe access for pedestrians and emergency services. For everyone’s safety, remove snow and ice from all sidewalks bordering your property after each snowfall.  

Do not shovel snow or ice on to roadways. Doing so causes drainage and flooding issues when the weather warms up. Snow and ice must be shoveled onto residential property. During extreme temperatures, sand can be spread on ice.

Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks even if the property is rented or if they are away from home.

Free salt and sand mix is available in a box next to the Public Works yard gate, 4505-50 Ave. (do not enter the yard). Bring your own container and scoop.

If sidewalks are not cleared, a Peace Officer may issue an order requiring the removal of snow and ice (including the sidewalk area on the  driveway) within seven days.

Once an order has been issued, no additional warnings will be provided. If snow and ice are not removed a contractor may be hired to remove snow and ice to complete the work. Costs will be added to the resident’s property taxes and additional fines may apply.

Failure to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk may result in:

• $250 fine for a first offence
• $500 fine for a second offence, in the same year
• $750 fine for a third offence, or subsequent offences, in the same year