After a cold and snowy winter, crews set sights on spring road maintenance

Snowier weather could come back at any time, and if it does, crews will be ready for it. But in the meantime, The City’s focus has turned to spring maintenance work.

Crews take on a variety of projects as temperatures rise and roads become drier, including:

·         Clearing catch basins: Crews clear the area around catch basins with a grader so that water can run into it. In some instances, they’ll move ice from the shady side of the street near around a catch basin to the sunny side, where it can melt.

·         Filling potholes: Every year The City of Calgary fills over 10,000 potholes. Due to heavier snowfall over the last several months and the recent freeze-thaw cycle, crews expect to be filling more potholes than last summer. This year, crews are using an asphalt recycler built in-house, which will reduce material costs.

·         Picking up roadside debris: This includes general cleaning and garbage pickup on our streets and boulevards.

·         Training: Both new and seasoned members of City crews take pride in always being fully trained on the latest technologies and machinery. Crews train on new equipment and new techniques for upcoming projects.

If the warm weather trend continues, The City anticipates that Spring Clean-up will launch in early April. Spring Clean-up is the annual street sweeping program that removes sanding materials and debris that has accumulated on roads over winter. Due to heavier snowfall and colder temperatures, crews applied about twice as much salt and gravel material to the roads this winter compared to last year. That means keeping streets clear of vehicles and bins to clear a path for sweepers will be especially important in the coming months. Check Calgary.ca/sweep for program updates coming soon.

Between potholes, windrows, and preparing for Spring-Cleanup, crews will continue to watch for potential snowfall. For questions about snow and ice control, visit Calgary.ca/snow, and if you see a pothole or blocked catch basin, please report it to 311.

What to do when snowfall turns into windrows

Since snow stopped falling on December 25, crews have completed maintenance on Priority One and Two routes, which include major roads like Crowchild Trail and most bus routes. Crews continue working in accordance with The City’s Seven Day Snow Plan, which means plows are now in residential areas and playground zones.

On residential roads, you may see vehicles “flat-blading”, which means turning the blade under a sander downward to flatten the snow to a hard pack, so it is easier to drive on. Sometimes, this results in windrows, which many Calgarians have questions about.

What is a windrow?

According to The City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy, crews are mandated to maintain the driving lane on residential streets to a safe, reasonable winter driving condition. Crews do this by “flat-blading,” turning the blade under a sander downward to flatten the snow to a hard pack so it is easier to drive on. Flat-blading causes a continuous a build-up of snow along the side of a roadway, also known a windrow.

While this is good for motorists, the snow left over after crews have flat-bladed can create some extra work for property owners.

There is a windrow in front of my driveway. Who is responsible for clearing it?

The clearing of windrows in front of driveways left by snow plowing equipment is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, much like sidewalk shovelling. Plow operators make every attempt to keep driveways clear or keep windrows as small as possible, but any spillage that does occur is the responsibility of the property owner.

What does The City do about windrows?

City forces do their best to keep windrows small by evenly distributing the snow on either side of the road, however, after heavy snowfalls windrows can build up. Under extreme circumstances, if a windrow is impeding a resident’s ability to enter their driveway, a crew can come by and assess the windrow and remove if required.

Citizens should contact 311 if they have concerns about a windrow.

Visit calgary.ca/snow for more information on how The City clears snow.

City launches annual Snow Angels campaign

With more snow in the forecast, it seems winter is here to stay for a while. The snowy weather brings with it the need to keep walkways clear of ice and snow, something that is challenging and dangerous for many older adults and others with limited mobility.

Today we launched the 13th annual Snow Angels campaign asking Calgarians to help neighbours in need this winter. Being a snow angel is a great way to get out, meet your neighbours and help build community spirit.

“We can all be Snow Angels – it’s simply neighbours being neighbourly and clearing the walkways for people who may not be able to do it themselves,” says Geoff Moore, program coordinator. “Snow Angels has two parts: help shovel someone’s walk and, recognize someone who shovels walks.”

Keeping walkways free of ice and snow helps all community members move safely through neighbourhoods. For many Calgarians, this means getting out of the house and exercising, connecting with neighbours, and showing what it means to be a community.

“For most pathways it is just a few extra minutes of shovelling to help a neighbour – especially if you get to it before foot traffic packs it down,” says Moore. “You wouldn’t believe how much it means to those with limitations.”

If someone has cleared your sidewalk, we would love to know so we can recognize them as a Snow Angel. You can nominate your Snow Angel online or by calling 311.

All nominated Snow Angels are officially recognized by Mayor Nenshi and entered into a prize draw. For more information, visit: calgary.ca/SnowAngels.

Safety on the roads a shared responsibility this season

After an unusually warm and dry fall season, it’s finally starting to look like winter in Calgary. With snow on the ground and colder temperatures in the forecast, The City is reminding Calgarians to be prepared for winter driving conditions.

“The accumulation of snow and ice on the roads can impact traction. This winter, take a bit more time to get where you’re going so that you can get there safely,” says Roads Maintenance Manager Bill Biensch.

Crews are out there working hard to maintain our streets, but we need your help. Here are a few ways you can help keep everyone moving safely this winter:

• Move your vehicle from designated snow routes during a snow route parking ban.
• Winterize your vehicle and consider installing snow tires.
• Clean snow and ice off your vehicle and ensure your headlights and windows are clear.
• Leave extra distance between you and vehicles in front of you, including equipment such as sanders and graders.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
• Remove snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of your home within 24 hours after the snow stops falling. 

When planning your commute this winter, make sure to stay informed about weather, road conditions, and traffic flow, too.

Follow @yyctransport on Twitter for frequent snow clearing updates, road closures, and incident alerts. If you have questions about road conditions, traffic or other road projects, we’ll find you the answers.

Visit Calgary.ca/snow, a one-stop-shop for all things related to snow and ice control. Find out if a snow route parking ban is in effect, see a map of pathways that are cleared of snow, and learn about the Seven Day Snow Plan.

The new map at Calgary.ca/roadconditions shows traffic camera images and plow progress across the city to help you keep moving safely and efficiently.

Take advantage of calgarytransit.com to sign up for email alerts, teletext, teleride, and download the mobile app. Follow @calgarytransit on Twitter frequent services updates and answers to any of your transit questions.

Although there may be a few more months of cold weather ahead, we can work together to keep all Calgarians on the move safely this winter.

Warm weather turns attention to catch basins

Crews use steam to remove snow and ice from catch basins  

Although spring is right around the corner and we haven’t had a significant snowfall in Calgary for weeks, don’t be surprised if you see snow removal equipment in your community.

While the warm weather trend has continued throughout February, low overnight temperatures have led to a freeze-thaw cycle. This has created icy patches on the roads, especially around storm drains, also known as catch basins.

As a result, Roads and Water crews are out doing work to clear roads and catch basins as well as address water pooling concerns. These include:

• Clearing the area around catch basins with a grader so that water can run into it.
• Moving ice from the shady side of the street to the sunny side, where it can melt.
• Addressing concerns of water pooling that can cause property damage or safety issues.

A blocked catch basin

Residents are encouraged to clear blocked storm drains from snow, ice or debris. If water is covering the storm drain and you can’t see the top of it, or if it’s too difficult to chip away the ice fill out a 311 Service request.

Calgarians are also encouraged to contact 311 if they see ice on the road that is blocking the flow of water to a catch basin or, if it is safe to do so, clear the channel along the gutter themselves. This way, when crews are out pre-sweeping the roads, we won’t have to worry about icy gutters.

Snow budget savings

Although road maintenance work has continued despite the lack of snow, we have seen significant savings on materials use, such as gravel, and overtime wages.

In 2015, we came in $2 million under our Snow and Ice Control (SNIC) budget. That money has now been put into the SNIC reserve fund which can be accessed in future winters with above-average snowfalls.

For additional information about snow and ice control in our city or to submit a concern to 311, visit Calgary.ca/snow.

Roads crews keep busy with warm winter maintenance

The City’s Roads crews pay close attention to the weather forecast all winter long. During and after a snowfall, we’re busy sanding, salting and plowing roads and sidewalks to keep everyone travelling safely. But what do our crews get up to when a warm spell hits Calgary?

Our maintenance team has plenty of work to do as temperatures rise. Here are a few of the projects we take on when the weather is warm:

• Salting and sanding icy patches: Although we’ve been experiencing warm temperatures during the day recently, the temperature usually dips below zero overnight. This creates a freeze-thaw cycle, resulting in icy patches across the city. Crews patrol for trouble spots before rush hour every day, salting and sanding these spots.
• Filling potholes: Did you know that every year The City of Calgary fills over 40,000 potholes? Potholes form when snow melts into cracks in the asphalt and then freezes, expanding in the cracks. In order to permanently fix potholes, crews need dry pavement and warm weather conditions, which means pothole repair can happen in winter if the temperature is high enough.
• Snow fence repair: Throughout winter, some snow fences may be knocked down or damaged. Crews respond to calls and repair the fences so they can properly block snowdrifts for the rest of the season.
• Roadside debris pickup: This includes general cleaning and garbage pickup on our streets and boulevards around the city.
• Windrows: City crews do their best to keep windrows small by evenly distributing the snow on either side of the road. However, after heavy snowfalls, windrows can build up. If a windrow is impeding a resident’s ability to enter their driveway, a crew can come by and assess the windrow and break it down if necessary. Residents are advised to contact 311 if they have large windrow concerns.
• Training: Our crews take pride in always being fully trained on the latest technologies and machinery. When there’s less snow to plow, we train our crews on new equipment or prepare them for upcoming projects, such as Spring Clean-Up.

Warm weather comes and goes throughout winter, so our crews will continue to watch for potential snowfall. For more information on the City’s snow and ice control efforts, FAQs, and details of our Seven Day Snow Plan, visit Calgary.ca/snow.

Understanding The City’s snow and ice clearing standards

When snow falls in Calgary, our crews plow, salt and sand according to the Seven Day Snow Plan. That means focusing on clearing high-volume roads first. On a snowy day like today, crews will work on these busy Priority 1 routes as the snow continues to fall. When these roads are finished, they’ll move into playground zones and residential areas over the next few days.

So, what does “finished” mean? From a City standpoint, there are well-defined standards for snow clearing on our roads that keep our streets safe while staying on budget.

What does a complete road look like?
Under the Snow and Ice Control policy, Priority 1 roads are plowed first and snow is cleared down to bare pavement within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling. Once those roads are done, crews work on feeder/collector Priority 2 routes, which are also cleared to bare pavement.

Priority 1 and 2 routes: Bare Pavement Standard
On Priority 1 and 2 routes, crews plow the snow so pavement is showing on through-lanes. In order to clear these roads down to bare pavement, crews put down material to prevent iciness and soften the snow. Then they use either a front plow (on the front of a sander) or a belly plow (underneath the truck) to move the snow to the side of the road.

Residential roads: Packed Snow Standard
Residential streets are included in The City’s snow control efforts, too. Under the policy, residential roads and playground zones (P3 & P4 routes) are worked on, but are not cleared to the pavement like Priority 1 and 2 routes.


Crews typically “flat blade” in residential areas. That means a sander operator tilts the blade down and scrapes the snow, packing it down in attempt to minimize ruts and make the road passable. Crews use their plows to knock down snow ruts to 12 cm on residential roads and apply material like salt or pickle, a salt/gravel mixture, depending on road temperatures. Making residential roads passable ensures that all emergency vehicles are able to maintain access.

More information on the City’s snow and ice control
For current updates on snow clearing efforts, FAQs, and more information on our Seven Day Snow Plan, visit Calgary.ca/snow.

Be the first to know about snow and ice control this year

We’re a winter city, which means snow and ice are a part of life in Calgary. Whether you travel by bike, car, Transit or your own two feet, it’s important to stay safe, plan your route and know how the snow will affect your daily commute.

Calgary weather can change in an instant. Stay on top of snow and ice information so you can keep on the move, stay safe, and enjoy winter.

“While we are out clearing snow, citizens can see our progress through a number of different ways. This helps them plan their commute and stay safe,” says Roads Maintenance Manager Bill Biensch.

Here are the best ways to stay informed this winter about all things snow and ice:

Road Conditions Map
The map is available both online at calgary.ca/roadconditions and in the City of Calgary Roads app. Take a look at the snow clearing status of Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads across the city, and plan your route using traffic cameras and plow and sander locations.

City of Calgary Roads App
If you find yourself checking your mobile device throughout the day, the Roads App will be your best bet for finding snow and ice info. Check the weather, see an updated map of which roads have been plowed, and read updates during snow events. The app is available for iOS, Android and Blackberry.

Twitter
Do you follow @yyctransport on Twitter yet? We tweet out snow clearing updates, road closures, safety tips, and more! If you have questions about road conditions, traffic, or other roads projects, we’ll find you the answers.

Calgary.ca/Snow
This webpage is your one-stop-shop for all things related to snow and ice clearing plus much more. Find out if a snow route parking ban is in effect, report a concern to 311, and read our snow clearing FAQs. On this page, you’ll also find information about pathway snow clearing and the Snow Angels shovelling program.

Snow and Ice Clearing Update Page
During a snow event, this page is updated daily at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Located at the top of our Calgary.ca/snow landing page, this is one of the best resources for snow and ice updates.

Calgary.ca/Winter
Explore what the City has to offer during winter! Learn about how to stay safe and keep active after the snow falls. The “Getting Around” button will link you to transit updates, winter driving tips, cycle track information, and a list of the City’s helpful apps.

Transit App
Planning your trip when the snow falls is easy with the City of Calgary Transit App. Stay on top of weather-related changes and look at route maps from your smartphone. The app is available for iOS and Android.

The City’s Seven Day Snow Plan Keeps Calgarians On The Move

The City of Calgary is ready to keep Calgarians safely on the move this winter with our Seven Day Snow Event Plan.

This planned approach has been designed to quickly prepare and maintain the roads throughout the winter season so Calgarians can get to where they need to go safely and efficiently.

Preparing the Roads
Even before it snows, Roads crews will be busy preparing the roadway. When snow is predicted, we put anti-icing material down, focusing on bridges and trouble spots. This environmentally-friendly compound helps prevent ice and snow from building up on the roads during a snowfall.

Priority System
Once the snow hits, we sand, salt and plow the roads based on a priority system, with the busiest roads deemed the top priority.



Day 1
We start on the high volume roads, called Priority 1s, in order to keep the greatest number of Calgarians travelling safely. Priority 1 roads, such as Crowchild and Glenmore Trail, carry more than 20,000 vehicles per day, and are cleared within 24 hours after the snow stops falling.

Day 2
Up next are the Priority 2 roads which are plowed, sanded and salted within 48 hours after the snow has stopped. Priority 2 routes are the feeder roads that run in and out of communities, and typically carry 5,000 to 19,999 vehicles per day. Many of these are Transit bus routes.

Days 3-6
On day three, we move into the residential areas. Residential roads with school and playground zones, hills and intersections are considered a Priority 3, while the remaining residential roads that have the lowest traffic volumes are considered to be a Priority 4.

City crews maintain residential roads on days three through six by sanding, salting and flat-blading. Under our plan, plows will knock down ruts to 12cms, but will not remove snow from residential streets.

Day 7
On the last day of the Seven Day Plan, crews will monitor the roads and respond to service requests for additional snow and ice control and get ready to do it all over again.

For more information on The City’s Snow Plan and to find out when crews will be in your area, visit calgary.ca/snow.

Winter survey results show Calgarians appreciate the level of Snow and Ice Control service provided

Every two years, Roads conducts a survey to examine opinions about its Snow and Ice Control (SNIC) services. In February 2015, another wave of the survey was conducted by HarGroup Management Consultants Inc. by telephone (both landline and cell phones) with 803 respondents.

The results from the 2015 Snow and Ice Control Program Citizens’ Survey found that a significant majority of Calgarians (88%) are satisfied with travel conditions due to snow and ice control services when driving or in a vehicle on Calgary roads.

“Roads Maintenance staff are committed to providing excellent Snow and Ice Control services for Calgarians,” said Bill Biensch, Manager, Roads Maintenace. “The bi-annual winter road conditions survey is important in helping us understand how citizens view our service level so we can make adjustments if need be.”

Half of respondents (51%) stated satisfaction with snow clearing on residential roads, while half felt it could be improved. Biensch said he is not surprised by the results as The City’s residential snow clearing policy is to flat-blade snow to a hard pack to reduce rutting; it does not include snow removal.

“Our residential snow clearing policy is meant to provide some Snow and Ice Control on residential roads while maintaining fiscal responsibility and minimizing the impact of windrows,” Biensch said, adding that despite mild temperatures this winter, conditions were actually typical of most winters in Calgary and that resulted in similar survey results as previous years.

“This winter’s snowfall accumulation was 140 cm this winter compared to 179 cm in 2013/2014, which was higher than normal,” he added.

Other key survey findings include:

• Approximately eight in 10 respondents (78%) stated that travel time during morning rush hour after winter snow storms is very or somewhat reasonable. 
• A significant majority of respondents (89%) stated they were satisfied with The City’s efforts to inform citizens about travel conditions and those who stated very satisfied is significantly higher than previous survey waves. As well, the vast majority of respondents who use sources offered by The City of Calgary stated the information was very or somewhat helpful. 
• Almost three-quarters of respondents were satisfied with the timing of traffic signals when snow events occur (74%). 
• Approximately six in ten respondents were satisfied with travel conditions on bike lanes (63%) and cycle tracks (62%). 

For more information on The City’s Snow and Ice Control program and to see the full survey results visit Calgary.ca.

Roads crews plow ahead in nice weather

In terms of weather, 2015 has been very good to Calgary with an above average winter. We’ve had warmer temperatures and fewer snowfalls than the winter of 2013-2014. With all this sunshine and warm weather, some of you may be wondering what City Roads crews are doing.

While Calgarians are getting a break from the harsh winters we occasionally experience, City crews are still hard at work. In place of plowing, salting and shovelling snow, crews are performing more seasonal duties, like filling potholes, debris and litter pick-up and prepping for SpringClean-up by doing some winter street sweeping.

“We’re taking advantage of above seasonal temperatures and working proactively to keep city streets well maintained before spring hits by cleaning up gravel ahead of schedule,” said Roads Maintenance Manager Bill Biensch. “There are many benefits to being able to pick up left over gravel throughout the winter months.”

Street sweeping early helps keep gravel off the road which provides extra safety at intersections and for cyclists. Winter street sweeping is also good for the environment by preventing any gravel and road salts from flowing into catch basins.

Crews are also still responding to 311 service requests for Snow and Ice Control as roads tend to ice up due to low overnight temperatures.

For more information on The City’s Snow and Ice Control program visit Calgary.ca/snow.

What to do about those windrows

What is a windrow?

Fortunately, this winter Calgary hasn’t seen too many snowfalls. However, we have been hearing some concerns about the snow that is there and want to address them.

According to The City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy, crews are mandated to maintain the driving lane on residential streets to a safe, reasonable winter driving condition. Crews do this by “flat-blading,” turning the blade under a sander downward to flatten the snow to a hard pack so it is easier to drive on.

While this is good for motorists, the snow left over after crews have flat-bladed, can create some extra work for property owners. The reason is because flat-blading causes a continuous a build up of snow along the side of a roadway, also known a  windrow that can be difficult to remove, especially if left too long.

There is a windrow in front of my driveway, who’s clearing it?

The clearing of windrows in front of driveways left by snow plowing equipment is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, much like sidewalk shovelling. Plow operators make every attempt to keep driveways clear or keep windrows as small as possible, but any spillage that does occur is the responsibility of the property owner.

What does The City do about windrows?

City forces do their best to keep windrows small by evenly distributing the snow on either side of the road, however, after heavy snowfalls windrows can build up. If a windrow is taller than 30 centimetres and impeding a resident’s ability to enter their driveway a crew can come by and assess the windrow and remove if required.

Citizens should contact 311 if they have concerns about a windrow.

Visit calgary.ca/snow for more information on how The City clears snow.

Snow on Calgary Roads: What The City's doing & what you can do

A snowfall warning has been issued for the City of Calgary. Environment Canada expects amounts totaling between 10-20 centimetres on Tuesday.

All available City Roads crews and equipment are currently working on Priority 1 routes throughout the city. This includes major commuter roadways such Macleod and Glenmore Trail. Due to the cool temperatures crews will be using pickle, a salt/gravel mixture that provides traction on icy winter roads. This work will continue throughout the afternoon rush and into the evening as outlined in The City’s Seven Day Snow Event Plan.

With the exception of trouble spots, including hills, bridge decks and ramps, crews are not expected to move onto the Priority 2 roads until tomorrow and/or 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling. Priority 2 routes are classified as roads which carry 5,000 to 19,999 vehicles per day, like Kensington Road and Acadia Drive, and are typically bus routes.

As snow continues to fall, motorists are advised to drive with caution, particularly on bridge decks and ramps, as these areas tend to become icy in colder temperatures. Calgarians should drive to winter conditions and consider giving themselves extra time to get to get home from work.

At this time The City does not anticipate the need to call a Snow Route parking ban.

Please follow the Transportation Department on Twitter @yyctransport, or visit calgary.ca/roadconditions for traffic updates.

How we respond to snowfall

Roads maintains public thoroughfares to the Snow and Ice Control policy standards during winter months by:

• Laying down gravel, salt and/or pickle and plowing roadways
• Snow removal and storage
• Sidewalk snow removal in the downtown core
• Snow fencing where required
• Free sand locations

To help remove ice on residential sidewalks, homeowners can pick up free sand and salt-coated gravel at most Fire stations and Roads Maintenance District offices. See sanding box locations near you.

Winter driving tips
Calgarians are reminded to drive to winter conditions, especially in residential communities. Some tips for winter driving include:

• Winterize your vehicle, consider installing snow tires.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destinations.
• Reduce your speed and turn on your headlights.
• Leave extra distance between you and the car ahead of you.
• Do not pass working sanders or equipment.

Snow Angels program recognizes the angels among us

The Snow Angels program recognizes Calgarians who volunteer their time and energy to help neighbours with mobility challenges or busy schedules to clear the snow from their walkways.

Not only are Snow Angels helping their neighbours shovel snow; they're also helping to prevent passers by from slipping and falling in winter conditions.



Earn your wings by clearing snow and ice from your neighbours sidewalk. We also encourage Calgarians to nominate their Snow Angel to ensure they are recognized for their great contribution to our city.

Understanding The City’s road maintenance snow and ice standards

Today marks the final day of The City’s Seven Day Snow Event Plan. This means City Roads crews will consider their work in cleaning up after our most recent blast of winter finished by tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

So, what does “finished” mean? Depending on who you ask, you are likely to get a different answer. But from a City standpoint, there are well-defined standards for snow control on our roads that keep our streets safe while staying on budget.

The City sands, salts, and plows roads and sidewalks based on a Council-approved priority system, with the busiest roads deemed the top priority.

What does a complete road look like?
Under the Snow and Ice Control policy, the busiest roads (Priority 1s or P1s) are plowed first and snow is cleared down to the pavement. Roads with lesser volumes of traffic, for instance in our residential areas, are typically done last and are simply “bladed” in order to pack down the snow to a drivable or passable condition.

Priority 1 and 2 routes - Bare Pavement Standard
In 2011, The City implemented a Bare Pavement Policy as the standard for snow clearing on Priority 1 and 2 routes (P1 and P2).

On P1 and P2 routes, crews will plow the snow so the pavement is showing on through-lanes. Crews clear these roads to bare pavement by first putting down material to prevent iciness and soften the snow on the road. Crews will then use a front plow, a plow on the front of a sander that pushes the snow to the side of the road, or a belly plow, a plow underneath the truck that moves snow to the side of the road.

Residential roads – Packed snow standard
In 2011, Council voted to include residential streets in The City’s snow control efforts. Under the policy, residential roads (P3 & P4 routes) are addressed but are not cleared to the pavement like Priority 1 and 2 routes.

Crews typically “flat blade” the roads in residential areas which means a sander operator tilts the blade down and scrapes the snow, packing it down in attempt to minimize ruts and make the road passable. Crews will use their plows to knock down snow ruts to 12 cm on residential roads and will apply material like salt or pickle, a salt/gravel mixture, depending on road temperatures.

Roads are flat-bladed in residential areas in an attempt to make roads passable so that all emergency vehicles are able to maintain access while also keeping windrows (the snow pushed to the sides of the road) as small as possible.

For more information on The City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy visit calgary.ca/snow.

Roads’ priority system

Priority 1 (P1) routes include major commuter roads that carry 20,000 vehicles or more per day as well as roads downtown that carry 8,000 vehicles or more per day. Examples include Macleod Trail, Glenmore Trail and Crowchild Trail.

Priority 2 (P2) routes are the feeder roads that run in and out of communities and typically carry 5,000 to 19,999 vehicles per day. Many of these are Transit bus routes.

Residential roads with school and playground zones, hills and intersections with stop/yields are considered a Priority 3 (P3), while the remaining residential roads that have the lowest traffic volumes are considered to be a Priority 4 (P4).

Does the City of Calgary do Snow Removal?

Snow removal involves plowing snow to the side of a road, and then using a snow blower to collect the snow and load it into the back of a dump truck. The snow is then taken to one of The City’s snow storage sites.

Snow removal is typically only done in the downtown core, and along major roadways where there is no extra space to pile snow.

Keeping Calgarians on the move this winter

calgary.ca/snow

The City of Calgary has learned a lot from last year's record breaking snowfall and is taking a coordinated approach to help keep Calgarians on the move this winter.

The main hub for all City snow event information is calgary.ca/snow. Visit the website to find out if a snow route parking ban is in effect, get up-to-date info on snow and ice clearing, and learn how to report snow issues.

In the videos below, City staff explain the seven day snow event plan and other important information for citizens to know this snow season.

Snow and Ice Control - Roads
Bill Biench, Maintenance Manager, Roads, explains changes to better maintain Calgary’s roadways and keep Calgarians on the move.




Snow and Ice Control - Parks
Duane Sutherland, Pathway Lead, Parks, explains that crews are committed to clearing snow on pathways and sidewalks adjacent to parks within 24 hours of when the snow stops falling.



Snow and Ice Control - Bylaws
Damien Cole, Manager, Animal & Bylaw Services, explains how bylaws help keep our walkways safe.



Snow and Ice Control - Parking
Wes Hogman, General Manager, Calgary Parking Authority, explains the new automated vehicle enforcement process on Snow Control Routes during Snow Events.