Winter Maintenance

Snow removal

For safe and efficient snow removal, please support crews and equipment by moving vehicles and other obstructions such as, gutter ramps, extension cords, and basketball nets. Be aware when encountering snow removal equipment. Slow down and follow from a safe distance. Only pass when the equipment is at a standstill and it is safe to do so.

We remove snow from all roads and lanes within Morinville, including 100 Avenue (Highway 642). We also clear snow and ice off sidewalks next to Town-owned property, trails and parking lots.

Our snow clearing operation follows the Snow and Ice Control Policy and Snow Clearing Zones & Priority Map. Snow clearing in residential zones starts only after higher priority areas have been completed. For information about snow clearing operations, please see the Snow and Ice Control Administrative Directive which outlines the operation in detail.

Priority 1: Main Roads

Orange lines on Snow Plowing Priority map

100 Street and 100 Avenue
Trails and sidewalks (red lines) adjacent to Town owned properties
Municipal parking lots
Plowing starts as early as 5 a.m.

Priority 2: Arterial Roads

Yellow lines on Snow Plowing Priority map

Arterial roads
Plowing starts as early as 7 a.m.

Priority 3: Collector Roads

Blue lines on Snow Plow Priority map

Neighbourhood collector roads
Includes the Industrial Park
Plowing starts as early as 7 a.m.

Priority 4: Residential Streets/Lanes

Green lines on Snow Plow Priority map

Five zones scheduled on a rotating basis
Plowing starts as early as 7 a.m.
Laneways, alleys, and cul de sacs are done as time and resources permit

In accordance with Morinville’s Snow and Ice Control Policy, snow removal in residential areas is completed after high priority areas are completed. Snow clearing commences throughout the five different zones on a rotation basis:

Snow event	Residential snow removal began in:	Next snow event, residential snow removal will begin in:
Week of January 26, 2022	Zone A	Zone B
Next snow event	Zone B	Zone C

Snow and Ice Control Resource Documents:

Snow and Ice Control Policy

Snow Clearing Zones & Priority Map

Snow and Ice Control Administrative Directive

What to know

Morinville will monitor several locations and take measurements of the compacted snow depth. These measurements are averaged when assessing for when town-wide residential snow clearing will begin. Once the average trigger depth is reached, all roads within that Priority level will be completed.
For accumulations of snow between 0 and 5 cm, and/or during icy road conditions, sanding of key intersections, and removal of hazardous snow drifts on main roads will occur.
For accumulations of snow between 5 and 10 cm, all main and arterial roads will be plowed, emergency routes (RCMP, fire station, EMS) will be plowed, and Town facility parking lots will be cleared.
For accumulations of snow between 10 and 15 cm, all neighborhood collector roads will be cleared.
For accumulation of snow over 15 cm, all local neighborhood roads will be cleared (one zone per day). The dates for each zone will be published on the main page of our town website at least 24 hours before clearing takes place.
Where possible, snow will be pushed where space is available, to the side of the road that does not have a sidewalk, or both sides of the road if safe to do so.
Snow will be removed where no space is available, where traffic safety is impacted, or at the discretion of the General Manager of Community and Infrastructure Services or designate.
Sidewalks and trails are cleared at the same time, where possible.
Snow Removal signs will be put out a minimum of 24 hours prior to a particular street being cleared.
Residents must move their vehicles off any street with a no parking sign no later than 6:00 am on the day listed until snow removal has been completed. We encourage residents to move their vehicles the night before to ensure roads are clear for snow removal.
Any vehicles that are not moved during scheduled snow removal operations are subject to ticketing and towing.
Should snow clearing occur on the same day as curbside waste collection, residents should place their carts and blue bags in the center of their driveway (30 cm or 1 foot from the end). During snow clearing carts cannot be on the road, sidewalk or in the gutter.

Snow Removal Carts

Street, Sidewalk and Trail Sanding

Sanding trucks maintain slippery roads sections as required with special attention given to intersections.
Crews monitor the condition of sidewalks and trails daily. Ice control is provided on an ongoing basis during freeze/thaw cycles, freezing rain, or any event that may be dangerous to pedestrians.

Residential Sidewalks – Homeowner Responsibility

Prevention of snow or ice buildup on sidewalks is your responsibility.

You must clear snow and ice from all sidewalks bordering your property.
Clear snow to bare surface within 72-hours of the snow event.
If you own a rental property, are traveling, or working out of town, you are still responsible to arrange for the clearing of your sidewalks after each snowfall.
Avoid placing snow removed from your sidewalk onto the road.
For icy conditions you can spread sand on the sidewalk. A wooden box containing free sand is located outside the fenced area at the Public Works Yard at 10310 107 Street. You must bring your own pail and shovel.

Learn more from our Traffic Safety Bylaw.

If you have mobility or health issues and are unable to clear you sidewalk, assistance may be available through the Seniors Home Support Program.

Driveway Gutter Ramps

From November 1 to March 31, remove all gutter ramps accessing your driveway.
If your driveway gutter ramp is left in place, costs to repair damage to Town equipment will be your responsibility.
The Town will not be liable for damaged or missing ramps.

Flags on Private Property

Flags are placed on private property by operators to ensure visibility of snow covered objects during snow clearing events.

Residents will be receive a communication on their door if a flag has been placed on their property.
Please leave the flag(s) in place on your property for the entirety of the winter season to limit potential damage.

Free Sand

To assist in injury prevention from slippery sidewalks, sand is available to residents at no cost.

A wooden box containing sand is located outside the fenced area at the Public Works Yard at 10310 107 Street.
You must bring your own pail and shovel.
This sand is not intended for commercial use.

Snow Around Fire Hydrants

We would like to remind residents when clearing snow to keep all fire hydrants accessible.

If there is a hydrant near your home, please help us out in clearing an access path. A minimum clearance of 1 m is required for emergency access.
If there is a location where a hydrant is not accessible, please contact Public Works or call 780-939-2590.

Snow Storage

The Town owned snow dump typically operates Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 2:00 pm, excluding holidays.

Contractors may use the snow dump for snow collected from properties within the Town of Morinville.

All contractors must submit to Infrastructure Services:

A valid business licence
Proof of $2 million liability insurance
A $500 damage deposit; if no damage is incurred during the season the deposit will be returned
A letter confirming you are hauling snow for a Morinville business or condominium
A signed Snow Disposal Agreement - please call our Infrastructure Services office at 780-939-2590 to obtain your copy.

Fees will be charged for contracted use of the site - please see the Snow Disposal Agreement.

A site orientation is provided by Infrastructure Services staff after all requirements have been met.

Snow storage location: 2 km east of Morinville on Secondary Highway 642 and south on Range Road 251.

Availability of the snow dump for contractors is conditional on available capacity within the facility and other emergent operational conditions.