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FORT MCMURRAY — The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has adopted its first formal snow and ice control policy for rural communities, setting service standards and response timelines ahead of winter.
Council approved the Rural Snow and Ice Control Policy during a special meeting on Oct. 13.
The municipality says winter maintenance has long been carried out in rural communities, but unlike the Fort McMurray Urban Service Area, there had not previously been a formal policy setting priorities and timelines.
The new policy was developed following feedback from rural residents and community partners after a difficult winter season.
Under normal weather conditions, residential roads and school routes will be given top priority. Plowing will begin after more than five centimetres of snow, with service expected within 24 hours.
High-use industrial roads will be plowed after more than seven centimetres of snow, with a 48-hour response time.
Recreational roads and routes with limited traffic will be addressed after more than nine centimetres of snow, with service expected within 72 hours.
The policy also includes planned snow removal from rural residential roads up to twice per season when conditions warrant.
Crews will remove large snowbanks that block sightlines, while additional snow removal resources will be planned in advance if heavy snowfall returns this winter.
The municipality says snow removal had not previously been a standard part of rural operational planning before the season began.
The policy also establishes new rules for driveway windrows.
Snowbanks left by plows that are 15 centimetres or higher will be removed from residential driveway entrances within 12 hours.
Residents will be responsible for clearing windrows smaller than 15 centimetres within 48 hours after a plow passes.
Rural businesses and properties on priority two and three routes will remain responsible for clearing windrows at the ends of their driveways.
Residents and organizations will also be responsible for clearing sidewalks next to their properties within 48 hours of a snowfall.
Municipal sidewalks and trails around schools, RMWB buildings, amenities and emergency facilities are to be cleared within 48 hours.
Other municipal sidewalks and trails along residential streets are to be cleared within four days, while those on non-residential streets are to be cleared within seven days.
The RMWB is also reminding residents not to push snow from driveways or walkways onto roads, ditches, neighbouring properties or around fire hydrants.
Garbage and recycling bins should be placed in front of windrows on collection mornings and removed the same day.
The municipality says Bylaw Services will increase education and enforcement of the Community Standards Bylaw, with voluntary compliance remaining the goal.
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