Watch above: The City of Edmonton’s director of roadway maintenance answers your questions about snow clearing ahead of the anticipated heavy snowfall.
EDMONTON — With upwards of 30 centimetres of snow expected to fall in the Edmonton area over the next few days, the City of Edmonton says its crews are prepared for whatever comes their way.
“We’re ready to go. It’s just a matter of waiting for the snow,” said Bob Dunford, director of Roadway Maintenance with the City of Edmonton.
Crews spent Wednesday morning going over the last-minute details of their snow-removal plans. Dunford says contracted crews have also been contacted and are ready to hit the streets where needed.
“I think we have a pretty good game plan going forward.”
Global Edmonton meteorologist Nicola Crosbie says Edmonton should see 15 to 20 centimetres of snow by Thursday and another five to 10 centimetres on Friday.
“This will be our first significant snowfall of the season.”
READ MORE: Snowfall warning issued for Edmonton and area
Watch below: Nicola Crosbie’s seven-day forecast
Snow removal is a hot topic for many Edmontonians during the winter. As a result, the city is trying a few new approaches for snow removal this season. The first has to do with residential blading.
“Residential blading is probably … it’s the thing that gets most people excited,” said Dunford.
To avoid any scheduling confusion, the city is moving to a fixed-day residential blading schedule, similar to garbage removal.
“It’s Monday to Friday,” said Dunford. “If you’re a Monday, you will be a Monday all winter long. So it doesn’t matter what day we start, that will be your day.”
It is a 24-hour system, so snow removal crews could show up any time, whether it’s 1 a.m. or 11 p.m., on your scheduled day.
In addition to this approach, a new pilot project will see four Edmonton neighbourhoods test out a one-side-of-the-street winter parking ban this season. Residents in West Jasper Place, Crestwood, Haddow and Henderson Estates are only allowed to park on one side of the street, leaving the other side free for crews to create a windrow.
READ MORE: Pilot project for ‘one side of the street’ winter parking ban a go
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A similar approach is also being taken in Edmonton school zones. In order to avoid large windrows in front of schools, Dunford says snow will be plowed to one side, on the opposite side of the street from the school.
When asked if city crews could just remove the snow all together, rather than make windrows, Dunford said logistically, it’s not really possible.
“That’s a problem. It’s logistics. The amount of equipment it would take and, of course, the dollars and cents it would take – we’re trying something different with residentials to try and get an improved level of service, but without any additional cost.”
To find out which day snow removal crews will be in your neighbourhood this season, visit the City of Edmonton’s website.
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