The Town of Coaldale is reviewing its snow removal policy as the winter weather arrives in time for the holiday season.
The policy was updated back in October, with snowplows starting work within 24 hours of 10 centimetres or more of snow falling in the area. Plowing will start with priority one routes, including 16th Ave, 20th Ave, Land O’ Lakes Drive, 23rd Ave, 24th Street, and Cottonwood Drive. According to the municipality, clearing these roads first will allow easier access to all parts of the town for emergency vehicles. Once all of the above roads are cleared the snowplows will move onto priority two routes which will improve local schools, will be cleared next; including 8th Street, parts of 11th Street and 22nd Ave, sections of 19th Street, 21st Street, 30th Street, 16th Avenue from the Picnic Shelter to 26th Street and 26th Street between 16th Avenue and 18th Avenue. Priority three and four routes will be addressed once all those roads are cleared.
Director of Operational Services for Coaldale Terry May says the policy helps clarify how “snow plowing, removal, and sanding is managed and conducted” in the community as people regularly ask questions about how these procedures work.
“This policy answers those questions by identifying priority snow routes, giving residents a clear understanding of what to expect in the aftermath of a significant snow event,” May says.
Mayor Jack Van Rijn states council is educating the community on the processes that impact them in their daily lives.
“We understand that it can be frustrating or confusing to see certain roads get cleared before others, but I can assure our residents that when it comes to snowplowing and snow removal, the Town is following a strategic playbook that puts emergency access first and access to schools second,” Van Rijn says.
