Edmonton plans monthly residential snow removal and more equipment to tackle winter streets

Edmonton's snow and ice clearing policy is being updated following last winter's record snowfall, with improvements focused on accessibility and speedier response on priority routes.

At a Community and Public Services Committee meeting on Monday, August 31, the city proposed moving residential street blading to a monthly basis when needed — part of a broader optimization of its current operations.

"Overall, it's just the optimization of what we do currently," said Valerie Dacyk, general supervisor of Edmonton's snow and ice control program. "We've been working with our fleet counterparts to make sure that the equipment that we need is up and available and where we need it when the snow falls."

The city is requesting increased snow removal equipment for both roadways and active pathways, including specialty gear for catch basin removal and road grating.

Mayor Andrew Knack praised the plan's potential. "You're gonna see improvements in every aspect of what we're doing," he said. "It would allow for speedier snow clearing on even the Priority 1 and 2 roads and active pathways, so it helps with accessibility, it helps with the movement of people throughout our city and the safety of people throughout our city."

One controversial option — reintroducing calcium chloride, an anti-icing agent tested in 2017 and 2018 — will not be pursued. The chemical was effective but halted in 2019 after residents reported damage to vehicles, concrete, and infrastructure. While the province continues using it on Anthony Henday Drive, where high vehicle speeds blow snow off pavement, lower city-street speeds allow wet calcium chloride to accumulate on vehicles and corrode parts.

Chemical engineer Arthur Potts, addressing the committee, argued against its reintroduction. "I think they're going in the right direction," he said of the city's decision. "I think more plowing and they're looking at other options on an ongoing basis are the way to go."

The city has not disclosed the cost of the proposed equipment upgrades or a timeline for council to debate the full plan.