On November 30, 2009 City Council approved amendments to the Traffic Bylaw to allow the City to implement Snow Routes that create temporary No Parking Zones in residential areas.

Snow Routes

Snow Route Map 

To improve snow plowing safety and efficiency, “Snow Routes” will be implemented on selected roadways (see list) and will typically be in effect from November 1 to March 31 of each year.  In the event of normal or extreme winter weather necessitating the need to plow roads, the City may declare that Snow Routes have been activated resulting in a Temporary Parking Ban being put in place for all, or specific Snow Routes.  Once declared residents will be notified by Public Service Announcements in the local media, the City Website and e-notification of registered snow route residents.  The Temporary Parking bans will be in effect for 72 hours, unless the declaration is terminated before 72 hours, or is extended for a further 72 hour period.

During the Temporary Parking Ban residents will be required to park in another location until the ban is over so that snow plows can plow the snow to the parking lanes or boulevard.  You may still park on a snow route until a temporary parking ban is declared and once it is over.

Residents who park along snow routes are asked to watch for heavy snowfall and to be ready to remove their vehicles from the street when a temporary parking ban is declared. Residents will be able to register to be notified by email when a Snow Route Temporary Parking Ban has been declared. 

To register for Snow Route e-notification <click here>.

The Snow Routes are:

North

• 13 Street North (from 8 Ave N to 26 Ave N)
• 23 Street North (from 5 Ave N to 26 Ave N)
• 5 Avenue North (from Stafford Dr. N to 23 St N)
• 9 Avenue North (from 6 St N to 28 St N)
• St. Edwards Blvd. North (from Stafford Dr. N to 23 St. N)
• 18 Avenue North (from 13 St N to 23 St N)
• Park Meadows Blvd North (from 23 St N to 28 St N)

South

• 6 Avenue South (from 5 St S to Mayor Magrath Dr. S)
• 10 Avenue South (from Scenic Dr. S to Mayor Magrath Dr. S)
• 13 Street South (from 3 Ave S to 16 Ave S)
• 16 Avenue South (from Scenic Dr.  S to Mayor Magrath Dr. S)

West

• Squamish Blvd West (from Garry Dr. W to Red Crow Blvd W)
• Mic Mac Blvd West (from University Dr. W to Red Crow Blvd. W)
• Jerry Potts Blvd West (from Whoop-Up Drive W to Red Crow Blvd. W)
• Columbia Blvd. West (from University Dr. W to Laval Blvd. W)
• Rocky Mountain Blvd West (from University Dr. W to Mt. Burke Blvd W)

As a result of the extreme weather the City of Lethbridge faced in December 2008 and January 2009, the Transportation Dept. reviewed its Snow Removal Procedures with the intention of improving the speed of snow removal while keeping costs to a minimum and also maintaining our same level of service within our City Council approved Snow and Ice Control policy.

On October 19, 2009 City Council heard a presentation on the Snow and Ice Control program  Presentation  and also approved the the following recommendations Council Minutes. As a result of this approval the City will be purchasing four (4) snow plow blades for existing sand trucks; installing over 10 km of snow fence at various locations on the westerly edge of the City and selected locations in North and South Lethbridge; and will be developing Snow Routes with temporary "No Parking" restrictions upon declaration.   

Keeping Lethbridge On The Move This Winter

At the beginning of November each year, the City of Lethbridge Transportation Operations commences its winter snow and ice control coverage.  Many Lethbridge residents are wondering what kind of winter we will have this year.  Will it be as severe as last year?  The City of Lethbridge has made significant changes to its operating procedures that will help keep residents moving this winter. 

Winter road maintenance is done according to a City Council approved Snow and Ice Control Policy priority system.  The Snow and Ice Control priorities are based upon the following criteria; traffic speed, topography and traffic/pedestrian volumes. These priorities are reviewed, updated annually, and shown on our Priority Maps. 

Ice Control is conducted as necessary to improve traction and is based on pavement temperature and atmospheric conditions. The City has added "pre-wetting" capability to our sanding tracks so that the sand and salt we apply to the roadways will be more effective under varying weather and road conditions.

Snow plowing will commence when snow fall accumulation begins to impede the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. As a result of the severe winter conditions experienced during the winter of 2008/2009, City Council has authorized the purchase of four additional snow plows to be mounted on existing trucks to allow faster snow plowing along bus routes during regular winter operations, and for plowing remaining residential streets during extreme events.

Ice Control & Snow Plowing Service Levels

In order to maximize the effectiveness of the available resources, snow and ice control forces will be allocated as per the following priorities:

Roadways:

• Priority I - Designated Arterial Roadways
  • Service Level; complete ice control and snow plowing within 24 hours of snowfall   ending
• Priority 2 - Remaining Arterials and designated collectors
  • Service Level; complete ice control and snow plowing within 24 hours of Priority 1 completion
• Priority 3 - Remaining Collectors, controlled intersections (stops and yields) and bus routes
  • Service Level; complete ice control and snow plowing within 24 hours of Priority 2 completion
• Priority 4 - All other City controlled roadways and laneways
  • Service Level; to ensure that they are passable to emergency services and general public, as necessary upon completion of Priorities 1 through 3

Residents who do not live on snow routes will be notified by temporary signage when it will be necessary to move their vehicles for snow plowing or snow removal.

Snow Removal & Drifting

Snow Removal is commenced when required due to heavy accumulation of snow to allow for vehicle passage and parking.  Removed snow is trucked to a designated snow storage facility approved by Alberta Environment.

Drifting snow will be controlled via roadway design where practical, and by the strategic placement of snow fencing.  Snow drifts that render roads, sidewalks, or pathways impassable will be cleared per the above mentioned priorities.

Winter Driving

We are fortunate to have gentle winters in our region.  As a result, not everyone remembers that you need to modify your driving in the winter in order to drive safely.

There are many Winter Driving Tips that can help you drive safely this winter.  Slow down and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.  Remember to look ahead so that you can identify and prepare for dangerous situations that you may come upon before you reach them.

When driving down hills such as Whoop Up Drive, shift down to the next gear before you descend and let your engine do some braking for you so that you don’t pick up too much speed and then have to apply the breaks suddenly to slow down.

Also we ask that you leave plenty of room for our snow plows, graders and sanding trucks.  Don’t pass the plows and graders while they are working, it’s not safe to do so.  If you give us room to work, we can get the job done faster for you!