The Edmonton Method - Snow Removal

[thommyjo]

Winnipeg and Ottawa have similar budgets per road km as we do. But they both also clear sidewalks and Ottawa in 24hrs.

Anyone have insights on why? Seems like we’re getting fleeced.

 

[ntt1]

I know it's the holidays but the snow clearing after this last dump has been absolutely horrible. There are still some bus stops and large sections of sidewalks near parks/schools and shared use paths in the south that haven't been touched and are now totally unusable with 5-10cm of slush/loose snow or ruts.

 

[IanO]

Multiple areas in our Downtown have no loading zones and almost impassible alleys in our most dense hoods. I get this was a big dump and the time of year, but when a block with ~800 residents can barely function, there is a problem.

 

[AJo]

Update. Windrow clearing has begun.
More than half of the 95th street windrow has been removed between 118th and 111th aves. They have also completely cleared the windrow between 111th and Jasper Ave.
Now here's to hoping that they blade down the residential streets and alleys soon. Getting out onto the mains in a small car was....entertaining....this morning.

 

[Gronk!]

Winnipeg and Ottawa have similar budgets per road km as we do. But they both also clear sidewalks and Ottawa in 24hrs.

Anyone have insights on why? Seems like we’re getting fleeced.

Just guessing here, but I reckon there are differences in geography, weather, population, city expansion, municipal budgets, funding and snow removal bylaws.

 

[IanO]

Update. Windrow clearing has begun.
More than half of the 95th street windrow has been removed between 118th and 111th aves. They have also completely cleared the windrow between 111th and Jasper Ave.
Now here's to hoping that they blade down the residential streets and alleys soon. Getting out onto the mains in a small car was....entertaining....this morning.

If we are going to have alleys, they need to be bladed the same as roadways post snowfalls as they are often the most difficult to navigate.

 

[David A]

This sounds a bit hopeful, but vague about timing.

Edmonton residential streets may be plowed soon – unless it snows again

From deep tire ruts to sliding cars, Edmonton drivers are having to navigate snowy residential roads. That’s because the City of Edmonton hasn’t plowed any residential neighbourhood yet this winter – as of Tuesday morning – despite about half a metre of snow piling up. “The road’s pretty bumpy...

edmonton.citynews.ca

 

[Avenuer]

If we are going to have alleys, they need to be bladed the same as roadways post snowfalls as they are often the most difficult to navigate.

My alley was bladed 1.5 weeks ago, to my surprise (it wasn't bad at the time, but that was before the recent thaw).

 

[thommyjo]

Just guessing here, but I reckon there are differences in geography, weather, population, city expansion, municipal budgets, funding and snow removal bylaws.

But like… what are they? Cause population, weather, density and all of that are VERY similar. There won’t be many easier comparables to find.

Why is Ottawa spending less than us per km of road and having it ALL cleared in 48hrs, including sidewalks. Broad claims about any of the things you mentioned don’t make that make sense.

 

[thommyjo]

Just a clown show of a day out there in Whikwentowin and west central. Embarrassing. Loved helping to pick up an elderly man who had flipped his scooter in snow on the sidewalk in our densest urban neighborhood of 20k people.

Bike lanes are a joke. Private sidewalks a mess. Alleys horrible. It’s been A WEEK. Wtf.

Beyond frustrated. Happy New Years to everyone but the incompetent COE.

Only safe sidewalks for biking on? Marigold managed ones so it’s confirmed… literally just a skill issue by COE cause marigold figured it out…

 

[Avenuer]

But like… what are they? Cause population, weather, density and all of that are VERY similar. There won’t be many easier comparables to find.

Why is Ottawa spending less than us per km of road and having it ALL cleared in 48hrs, including sidewalks. Broad claims about any of the things you mentioned don’t make that make sense.

Ottawa likely gets Federal funding from the NCC to support snow removal in many areas, so that’s a big difference.

I’d love to see if Winnipeg is actually better at clearing snow - knowing what I do about their City Government in general, I’d be surprised if it’s actually much better than here.

For here, privately-maintained sidewalks are the vast majority in Edmonton and poor snow clearing is on the property owner. If they don’t do a good job, complain to them.

 

[IanO]

Jasper Avenue ( Our main street in the CBD ) and 103st was fun.

 

[David A]

We claim to be a winter city, but seem to not be able to handle a big snowfall. Maybe we should just call in the military to help, it worked for Toronto.

 

[IanO]

The bigger question that I have is whether or not all of these windrows and areas of high service need in the core will be removed before workers return on the 5th?

 

[ntt1]

This certainly doesn't do well to push back against the perception that the city doesn't care about anybody not in a motor vehicle.

Here's a sidewalk under a 3-day priority schedule in my neighbourhood, plowed after it became impassable. Even worse now.