The Town of Coaldale is encouraging residents to get familiar with its snow removal policy.
“The reason we have this policy is to demystify the town’s snow removal process,” says Justin MacPherson, director of operational services. “When large snow events occur, people naturally want to know why some roads are plowed before others and some not at all. This policy answers those questions and keeps residents in the loop about when and where they can expect to see our crews in the hours and days following a large snow fall.”
The policy was revised last in 2021 and it lays out exactly when and where residents can expect to see crews plowing in the winter. After large snow events (10 cm of snow), plowing begins on a prioritized basis.
First priority is routes used by emergency vehicles, including 16th Ave, 20th Ave, Land O’ Lakes Drive, 23rd Ave, 24th Street, and Cottonwood Drive.
Second two is routes providing access to schools, including 8th Street, portions of 11th Street and 22nd Ave, a portion of 19th Street, 21st Street, and 30th Street.
Priority three and four routes are industrial, arterial and collector roads, as well as intersections and streets blocked by drifting snow.
“As a council, we strongly believe in transparent government, which not only means explaining our decisions to residents, but also, educating residents about operational processes that directly affect them and their businesses”, says Mayor Jack Van Rijn. “As this policy makes clear, no one at the town is arbitrarily deciding which roads get plowed first and which ones last. Coaldale residents can rest assured that when it comes to snow removal, the town’s resources are being used in a strategic well-thought-out manner.”