WMZ / Winter Maintenance Zone Sinage -Photo by Jon Tupper
FORT McMURRAY, Alta. — The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is imposing new parking restrictions and suspending its regular winter maintenance schedule as crews respond to heavy snowfall and extreme winter conditions.
Municipal officials say additional plowing of Winter Maintenance Zone streets will begin Feb. 20 and continue daily until all streets are cleared. The existing WMZ rotation will be paused during that period to allow crews to move more quickly through neighbourhoods.
On street parking restrictions will apply in each subzone for a minimum of two days starting at 7 a.m. on staggered dates. Restrictions begin Feb. 20 in Subzone 4, Feb. 22 in Subzone 3, Feb. 24 in Subzone 2 and Feb. 26 in Subzone 1. Residents may return to street parking once their road has been plowed and driveway windrows removed.
The municipality cautions clearing may take longer than two days in some areas due to continued snowfall, extreme cold and parked vehicles. Streets with excessive parked vehicles may be skipped so crews can focus on accessible roads.
Snow removal operations will also take place on select streets in Subzones 1 and 2. Temporary no parking signs will be placed 24 hours in advance where removal is scheduled. Officials note the signs are used only for snow hauling and not for standard plowing.
Snow removal will follow plowing and will not occur on the same day a street is cleared. The regular WMZ schedule will resume once snow is being removed from all WMZ streets.
Crews are working around the clock, prioritizing busier roads outside the WMZ program in accordance with the municipality’s Urban Snow and Ice Control Policy. Additional crews and equipment are being brought in to work through the weekend as conditions permit.
Residents are asked to clear sidewalks and driveways within 48 hours of snowfall, place snow onto yards or green spaces rather than back onto streets, remove garbage and recycling bins promptly and avoid blocking access when parking.
Updates on zone status are available through municipal channels, including online tools and direct contact with Pulse.
Comments