The City of Lethbridge looks to introduce a new snow clearing program this winter. (Photo: City of Lethbridge)

By David Opinko

City of Lethbridge to pilot new windrow clearing subscription service

Jul 10, 2024 | 9:12 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Snow clearing might be the last thing on peoples’ minds right now, but the City of Lethbridge is introducing a new program this winter.

The City will launch a pilot project for a new windrow clearing subscription service.

Starting in 2022, snow plows began pushing snow onto the right side of streets instead of into the middle of the street and moving the piles later.

Transportation Operations Manager Juliane Ruck says this change has proven to be very cost effective.

“It costs approximately 25 times more to windrow and remove it than it does to plow to the right of the road. The advantages are more motorists will enjoy a clear, rut-free commute and we save approximately $500,000 every time we get a significant snowfall in the city,” says Ruck.

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She continues, “We know residents and businesses who reside on a snow route are faced with the inconvenience of shoveling more snow a few times per season. But we also want to maintain fiscal responsibility for all taxpayers, while continuing to clear as many roads as possible.”

While Ruck admits that cutting costs is good, the City knows is has created problems for residents who now have large piles of snow in front of their driveways.

Anyone who lives along the snow route network and has a tough time clearing snow from their property will be able to register for the windrow clearing program.

Workers will clear members’ driveway or footpath access once their snow routes have been completed.

The exact details have yet to be finalized, but the estimated cost per household could be around $50 to $70 per winter season.

The City plans to sort everything out in the coming months and will release more information publicly at a later date.

More details on recent changes to snow and ice control are on the City of Lethbridge website.

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