Snow and Ice Removal

Find your Snow Zone

Plowing

Priority I

• Main Routes: 48 Avenue, Highways 13, 26, 833, and 53 Street/Parkview Drive from 48 Avenue to Camrose Drive
• Downtown Camrose: Generally, snow clearing is initiated approximately 24 hours after a major snowfall (to give businesses time to clear the snow from the sidewalks onto the road). If the snowfall occurs on a weekend, and is not too severe, clearing may be delayed in this area until Tuesday morning.

Priority II

• Major Arterial Roads: Snow Clearing on major thoroughfares is generally initiated following the clearing of Priority I areas and if there hasn't been another major snowfall
• Roads with schools in residential areas
• Airport (due to the high accident potential at this facility)

Priority III

• Residential Roads and Lanes: when the road or lane is at risk of becoming impassable to emergency services and the general public. More snow is allowed to accumulate on Priority III roads and lanes than is allowed to accumulate on higher priority roads, before snow plowing is initiated. Residential roads are plowed before lanes.
• Citizen Reports

Following a heavy snowfall, snow clearing concentrates on plowing snow throughout the City based on the priorities below (wind direction and traffic volumes generally determine which roadways or areas receive highest priorities). Snow is only removed if it is significantly restricting traffic.

Snow plowing operations are initiated according to the Winter Road Maintenance Policy.

Salting and Sanding

Sanding is an ongoing program throughout the winter. When and where we sand depends on the road conditions and the weather. Much like plowing, sanding priorities are based on the use and traffic volume on our streets.

Under normal conditions, Priority I and Priority II areas are sanded in one eight (8) hour shift. Another day is required to sand Priority III areas.

Priority I

• Highways 13, 26 and 833
• 48 Avenue Hill (53 Street - 50 Street)
• Camrose Drive

Priority II

• Hills
• Arterial Roads
• Collector Roads
• Curves
• School Areas

Priority III

• Intersections with stop and yield signs entering onto arterial or major collectors. Local residential roads are not sanded except under exceptional circumstances.

Public Works is constantly monitoring road conditions with dynamic weather conditions and fluctuating temperatures in mind. Adjustments to the sand and salt mixtures are made as necessary. To request sanding, please call Public Works at 780.672.5513 at any time.

Sandbox Locations

The City provides a sand-salt mixture for individual use on sidewalks bordering private properties. This helps breakdown snow and ice, making it easier for residents to remove.

Residents can find sandboxes at the following locations:

• Rec Centre parking lot by the compost area (4412 - 56 Street)
• Lions Centennial Park on Main Street (4952 – 50 Street)
• The Senior’s Centre/Mirror Lake Centre (5415 - 49 Avenue)
• Recycle with Centra-Cam (4402 - 51 Avenue)
• Camrose Auto Shine (5222 - 51 Avenue)

This is a free service but please note:

• Supply is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and there’s no guarantee any is available when you arrive.
• Limit your haul to one container per visit.
• Bring your own container (under 25 kg) and shovel.

Contractors: Please note that free sand-salt is for individual use only, not for contractors serving multiple customers. 

Sidewalk and Trail Clearing

Winter maintenance of sidewalks and trails is a shared responsibility. The standards set out in the Snow Removal Bylaw are to keep our sidewalks and walkways safe and clear of hazards.

After a snowfall, you must clear the snow from your sidewalk. The City clears snow and ice from the trails and public properties.