Snow Removal and Sanding

Snow clearing and sanding on city streets happens in priority sequence based on a ranking and trigger system, as set out by City Council in the Snow Removal and Winter Road Maintenance policy. Streets with significant traffic, hospital routes, transit routes and known problem areas are prioritized first, with other roads following in priority sequence.

See the priority route maps for:

• Cold Lake North
• Cold Lake South
• CFB/4 Wing

Snow clearing frequency is determined by the amount of snowfall and the amount of funding allocated in the annual snow removal budget. Residential neighbourhoods not on a bus route, are classified as priority 5. Snow removal is triggered for Priority 5 routes when the snow pack level reaches 7 cm.

Residents are reminded to shovel any sidewalks on or adjacent to their properties after any snowfall. Find more info on our Municipal Enforcement Page.

Please do not park on the street on your neighbourhood's assigned snow removal day. Signs are placed at neighbourhood entrances at least 24 hours before snow removal crews arrive. Under the City of Cold Lake's Vehicle and Pedestrian Traffic Bylaw #536-PL-14, vehicles left parked on the street after 24 hours notice has been given, may be ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense. 

Sanding

Sanding is completed using the same priority sequence and ranking system as snow removal. Special attention is given to intersections, hills, curves and known problem areas. If you see a particular area in need of sanding, contact the Public Works department at 780-594-4496.

Anti-icing

Anti-icing is the process of spraying a liquid chemical or brine solution on roadways to prevent ice from forming, typically ahead of forecasted freezing rain or heavy snow fall. The sprayed barrier prevents ice from bonding to the pavement surface and allows plow trucks to remove it more efficiently, all while using less salt in the process of de-icing the roadway.  

The City of Cold Lake has been trialing this process with a unit built in-house over the last six years, and applications are primarily on Highway 28, as well as spot treatment of certain hills throughout the city.

The product used, commonly referred to as “beet juice”, is Road Guard Eco-Plus, and is made in Alberta. It’s brown color and sweet smell is attributed to sugar beets used as a corrosion inhibitor. An SDS for the product can also be found here: Road-Guard-Eco-Plus-June-2023.pdf

Help us Help You

There are a few things residents can do to help ensure our snow removal crews can get in and out of your neighbourhood effectively and keep our streets clean and accessible for everyone:

• Remove your vehicles from the street on your assigned day. Signs are posted at the entrances to neighbourhoods at least 24 hours before crews arrive. When vehicles are left on the street, it causes delays to maneuver around them and leaves an unfinished section of the street.
• Remove driveway boards or ramps on your assigned day. They can get caught in the machinery and cause damage and costly delays. 
• Avoid streets where our crews are working. The less traffic and congestion we have to deal with, the faster we can get in and out of your neighbourhood.

Contract Snow Haulers

Private snow haul contractors must register with the City if they intend to dump snow at City of Cold Lake snow storage sites. There is currently no dumping fee for snow collected within Cold Lake city boundaries. Snow haulers must submit monthly reports tracking their use of City storage sites. Registration forms and monthly tracking forms can be picked up at Public Works (1515 - 16 Street). Snow haulers who fail to comply with these requirements will be prohibited from using City of Cold Lake snow storage sites. For more information, contact Public Works at 780-594-4496.