Red Deer City council has approved changes for the second year of the snow and ice program.

“Last year we established specific service levels that were responsive and ensured residents could move safely through our community,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “Based on a rigorous evaluation of the program, along with feedback from residents, we’ve adopted changes that will further contribute to safety, accessibility and mobility throughout our community.”

When the snow hits the ground this year, residents will notice changes including Green and Grey routes both plowed within 15 days of a 10 cm snowpack, improving operational efficiencies and allowing Green and Grey routes to be completed in each snow zone at the same time. As well, windrows from front driveways will be cleared by City crews; this snow will be moved to the windrows on the remainder of the street, which may potentially impact the height of the windrows and on-street parking. Public sidewalks will also be cleared within three days of a snow event. And when it makes sense to do so operationally, Orange routes (industrial and commercial areas) may be plowed sooner than the 15 cm snowpack trigger.

“We significantly transformed snow plowing in our City last year with the new snow and ice program,” said Elaine Vincent, director of development services. “The changes we’ve made for the second year further strengthen the program, and allow us to operate more efficiently while continuing to plow sooner, faster and more often.”

The new snow and ice program was launched last winter, following exceptional snowfall during the 2013/2014 season. The program, which set out new triggers and targets for snow plowing to be phased in over two years, was approved by council in October 2014.

The snow zone and route system will continue to be used this year to better schedule and communicate snow plowing operations with residents.

“Last year, over 10,000 vehicles were left on the street, which drastically slowed down our operations,” said Vincent. “This year we will be ticketing vehicles left on the street, so we’re asking residents to know their snow zone and route, check the schedule and move their vehicle.”

Residents can find their snow zone and route at www.reddeer.ca/snowzone.

– Fawcett