Changes to winter services means more snow plowing, less snow removal

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on October 6, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge residents will see a larger area of the city having snow removed from the roads this winter following changes to its snow and ice control.
In response to public feedback and City Council approval, the city will be adjusting snow-clearing practices during Phase 2 of snow and ice control. The changes include a larger road network. 
On Thursday during a Civic Works Standing Policy Committee meeting at city hall, transportation manager Darwin Juell said that in 2021 residents and stakeholders were asked what they thought about snow and ice clearing practices and they provided feedback which was used to develop changes.
“Last winter we piloted the changes on approximately 23 kms of residential streets,” Juell said. “We thank all residents who used the affected roadways regularly for their cooperation and feedback. This season, we’re expanding the network of snow routes to include a total of 83 kms of roadway.”
Transportation operations manager Juliane Ruck provided a power point presentation during the meeting and explained the various ways they engaged with the community regarding snow removal, and noted during Phase 1 snow routes were activated for six out of nine snow events, and during the first three they handed out courtesy tickets for vehicles parked on the road. Actual tickets were handed during the last three events.
After the meeting Ruck spoke to media and said last year during Phase 1, the city implemented plowing to the right along about 23 kilometres.
“This year we are expanding on that project and will plow the same areas with an additional 60 kilometres to the right as well,” said Ruck.
She said signs will be displayed in the new areas, advising residents that plowing is planned and they should move their vehicles to help make the snow removal process more efficient.
“Phase 2 includes all areas of the city, north, south and west. We have a map online available, if you look at our AVL tracker there is a layer now included for all the Phase 2 roads that are impacted. Residents can type in their address and find out if they are located on a snow road.”
Ruck said next week they will be distributing postcards in the mail for people who are new to Phase 2, and those who were part of Phase 1 last year will be receiving an information letter regarding Phase 2.
Some of the changes residents will notice this winter include more residential plowing, but less snow removal. Snow removal will be maintained in the hospital area, downtown and around schools.
When it comes to feedback obtained from residents about snow removal in general, Ruck said something they heard a lot about was the challenges people face regarding shovelling snow off their sidewalks and driveways. She said in response to that they are looking into developing a program to recognize good neighbours who help each other with snow removal.
“We are researching other communities and what has been successful for them. We were thinking about an award program and nominations. You can nominate your neighbour for being the best neighbour on the block and then an award ceremony.”
For more information on snow removal routes, schedules and general information, residents are encouraged to check out the city’s website, download the Lethbridge Loop app and stay in the know when there is a heavy snowfall.

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