Winter Maintenance Zones (WMZ)

Use the “Find Your Zone” Tool (above) and enter your street address to find out if you are included in the Winter Maintenance Zones program.

Regular winter maintenance is done on more than 510 roads in Fort McMurray, but how snow is cleared depends on the kind of road.

The busier roads (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Routes) are prioritized and are not included in the Winter Maintenance Zone (WMZ) program. These Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Routes are not affected by subzone activations, and receive more regular winter maintenance than residential streets included in the WMZ program because of their priority status.

To learn your subzone, check the permanent “no parking” signposts on your street, or use the “Find Your Zone” online tool (above) and enter your street address.

Occasionally your subzone may be activated, but no winter maintenance will happen on your street. This usually happens when crews are removing snow or there are multiple vehicles parked in active subzones, slowing down progress and causing areas to be missed. New snowfall, emergencies, or other unexpected delays may also result in challenges with scheduling. 

Winter maintenance is always scheduled based on the condition of roads. This means if your street didn’t receive maintenance the last time your subzone was active, it will be tracked and scheduled for future maintenance.

Windrows (snowbanks) created from a plow that are higher than 15 cm are being removed from the end of driveways in active subzones (also known as Winter Maintenance Zones or WMZs). The decision to help residents remove larger than normal windrows was made after reviewing the results from the Winter Maintenance public engagement and the daily feedback received.

Residents are responsible for clearing windrows smaller than 15 cm from their driveways within 48 hours after winter maintenance has occurred. The busier streets that aren't included in the WMZ program receive winter maintenance more frequently, resulting in smaller windrows that residents are responsible for removing. 

Sidewalks and walkways next to your home are your responsibility and must be cleared within 48 hours after a snowfall.

Community members with mobility challenges who need help shoveling can register for the Snow Angels program

You can become a Snow Angel! Volunteers are always needed every winter. Sign up and you can help clear a path through winter for community members in need!

If you have questions or feedback about winter maintenance operations, you may submit them via Pulse by calling 780-743-7000 or sending an email to pulse@rmwb.ca. Feedback and relevant inquiries will be passed on to the Roads department.

The Winter Maintenance program was designed using feedback from residents and is aligned with the Urban Ice and Snow Control Policy approved by Council in 2016. To learn more, visit Snow Clearing FAQs