Keeping Lethbridge on the move in winter – upcoming snow control changes

Each winter, City of Lethbridge Transportation Operations staff provide winter snow and ice control services to keep Lethbridge safely on the move. In response to public feedback and City Council approval, the City will be adjusting snow-clearing practices.

“In 2021, we asked residents and stakeholders what they thought about our snow and ice clearing practices and they provided some great feedback which we used to develop changes,” says Darwin Juell, Transportation Manager. “Last winter we piloted the changes on approximately 23 kms of residential streets. We thank all residents who used the affected roadways regularly for their cooperation and feedback. This season, we’re expanding the network of snow routes to include a total of 83 kms of roadway.”

Phase 2 snow and ice control changes include a larger road network.

 Some of the changes residents will notice this winter include:

• More residential plowing, less snow removal. Snow removal will be maintained in the hospital area, downtown and around schools.
• Snow routes will be activated during heavy snow events. This will include temporary parking restrictions with enforcement.
• Snow plows will begin plowing to the right on approximately 83 km of selected snow route roadways.

Residents who live on snow routes will receive a letter or postcard.

Residents who are located on new snow routes (Phase 2) will receive a postcard outlining the tools and ways to keep informed. Residents who are located on roads that were included last winter (Phase 1) will receive a reminder letter with similar information.

Properties adjacent to the snow routes are encouraged to:

• Use notification tools like the Lethbridge Loop and Lethbridge.ca
• Have a parking plan for when snow routes are activated.
• Be aware of how plowing affects their street and property.

School zones and areas around the hospital will be excluded from snow route clearing and maintain historical snow removal methods.

When you see snow, stay in the know.

In the event of heavy snow, the City may activate snow routes. When activated, these roadways are subject to temporary on-street parking restrictions, with enforcement, to support the efficient delivery of snow plowing operations. Snow plows will push snow to the right of the road and a windrow may develop along driveways, curbs and boulevards.

When you see snow, stay in the know. The community is reminded to look out for the blue snowflake tab on snow route parking signs and check the status of the snow route before parking on-street during snow season.

To learn more about this project, follow the live snow clearing maps, access notification tools and provide feedback, visit Get Involved Lethbridge: Snow and Ice Control Changes. Residents can also call or chat online with 311 for inquiries and comments related to this project.

“We encourage residents to stay in the know when we have a heavy snowfall,” says Juliane Ruck, Transportation Operations Manager. “These changes allow us to be more efficient with municipal resources and keep Lethbridge on the move in winter.”

Visit lethbridge.ca/snow or call 311 for more information on snow and ice control in Lethbridge. 

For Public Inquiries:

Call 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.