Winter Maintenance Update: Responding to significant snowfall

This winter has brought much heavier snowfall than usual, and this week’s warm temperatures have made road conditions especially difficult for residents and winter maintenance operations.

We are hearing from residents through the Pulse line, emails and calls about difficult road conditions and slow progress removing snow. We understand the impact this is having on daily routines, travel and access. Crews are working non-stop, using every available piece of equipment, with more than 30 trucks hauling snow to get streets cleared as quickly as possible.

When will winter maintenance happen on my street? 

We know many residents are asking when their street will be cleared. Maintenance happens differently depending on whether the street is included in the WMZ program or not. 

If your street is not in the WMZ program, crews will be doing maintenance this week, if it has not already been done. Right now, crews are focusing on the main entrances to neighbourhoods to improve access. Higher traffic roads, including Primary, Secondary and Tertiary routes are prioritized and maintained more regularly. 

If your street is in the WMZ program, maintenance follows the WMZ schedule. Subzones 1 and 2 are active this week (Jan. 12-16). Subzones 3 & 4 are expected to be active Jan. 19-23. Additional maintenance will also take place on WMZ streets over the weekends as conditions allow. WMZ updates are always shared on Fridays, with more detailed timing. 

You can also contact Pulse at 780-743-7000 or rmwb.ca/pulse for the most up to date details on winter maintenance progress.

Help keep streets clear and accessible

There are more than 500 streets in Fort McMurray. Crews are moving through neighbourhoods as quickly as possible, and a few simple actions from residents can help maintenance get done faster and more safely.

Please help by: 

• Following parking restrictions
• Shoveling the sidewalks next to your home
• Placing shoveled snow on your yard or the greenspace between driveways, not back onto the street or around fire hydrants.
• Parking as close as possible to the snowbank. While leaving enough room for other vehicles when you can.

These small steps help crews do their work more efficiently and keep streets accessible for plows, emergency vehicles, and neighbours. 

The conditions of my street are causing serious challenges, what can I do?

If your street has access or safety challenges, please report it to Pulse at 780-743-7000 or rmwb.ca/Pulse.

Every report is reviewed by our Roads team, and crews are dispatched to address intersections or short sections of streets where access is most difficult. This work is completed in addition to scheduled maintenance, with the areas of greatest need prioritized.

Learn more about winter maintenance and subscribe for weekly updates at rmwb.ca/wmz. The next update will be shared on Friday, Jan. 16.    

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