Snowfall has finally made an appearance in Strathmore to start the new year and with that comes the daunting task of snow removal. 

The Town of Strathmore's operations team provides the community with winter, snow, and ice control services. 

"We are responsible for clearing snow from many roads throughout the town, but Council does not govern or provide snow maintenance strata properties, private roads, or highways such as Wheatland Trail or the Trans-Canada Highway," the Town of Strathmore said in a brochure. 

The snowplows work on a priority basis meaning that the high volume, strategic arterial and collector roads, emergency service, access roads, and school zones, when in session are the first to be plowed when the snow flies. 

Then they trickle down to the second priority, major collector roads, linking neighborhoods and downtown. The third priority is commercial roads with identified drainage issues and town-owned parking lots.

"It can take up to 72 hours for crews to finish third-priority roadways. If it snows again while crews are working on lower-priority routes, they must stop and return to plowing the first priority again."

Making sure that sidewalks and pathways are cleared is the responsibility of many community members.

"We clear some public sidewalks and pathways, but property owners are required to ensure that sidewalks that are adjacent to their properties are free from snow and ice." 

Looking at the forecast ahead there will be a high of 1 and snowfall today (Jan 9), continuing into the evening and then for the next couple of days. 

For more information on winter maintenance visit the Town of Strathmore's website or call the operations team at 403-361-2126. 

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