Following a December that brought Spruce Grove and the entire Capital Region one of its snowiest months on record, City crews have been working around the clock keep streets safe and accessible.

Recent precipitation levels were more than four times the 30-year average, with heavy, sustained snowfall, fluctuating temperatures, and freezing rain causing challenging conditions for City crews and residents alike.

“We recognize these conditions have resulted in some difficult driving conditions for our residents and we hear your frustrations,” said Mayor Jeff Acker. “Clearing the amount of snow that we received in such a condensed timeframe takes time, especially when crews have had to repeatedly go back to clear high priority routes before being able to make their way into residential neighbourhoods.”

How does snow removal work in Spruce Grove?

During a snowfall event, the City follows a priority clearing sequence to that focuses first main, high-traffic roads. There are eight priority levels:

1. Highway 16A
2. Arterial roads (ex: Grove Drive, Century Road, Calahoo Road, Golden Spike Road, Jennifer Heil Way and parts of Pioneer Road)
3. Emergency access ways – King Street from Highway 16A to Brookwood Drive
4. Snow routes and collector roads
5. City Centre area
6. Commercial and industrial (ex: South Avenue)
7. Residential streets
8. Alleys

At any time, snow removal in one priority may be temporarily suspended so crews can revisit higher priority roads that have received additional snowfall. Over the past few weeks, this has happened on numerous occasions with crews repeatedly returning to clear priority levels 1-3.

When snow removal operations are underway, City crews work in shifts to provide coverage 24 hours a day seven days a week to help keep roads safe and clear.

In addition to clearing roads, City crews also work to clear public walkways, also using a priority system.

During certain scheduled snow removal operations, specifically snow routes, the City Centre area, and residential street snow removal, residents are required to move their vehicles to support safe and efficient snow removal. Advance notice is provided (as outlined in the City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy) through signage and notification through the City’s website and social media telling residents to move their vehicles and any other obstacles (like hockey or basketball nets or waste carts) from the streets. Vehicles that are not removed will be towed.

Why do vehicles need to be moved?

In Spruce Grove, crews don’t plow around vehicles. The service standard is to fully move snow off the roadways after it has been plowed. This ensures that windrows are removed as quickly as possible, and that the full width of the street has been cleared of snow. To provide this level of snow removal, streets must be clear of obstructions, which means that vehicles – and any other obstacles – need to be moved out of the way.

When are residential streets being cleared?

Residential street snow removal is scheduled to start on Thursday, January 8. Residents can watch for orange notification signs to be placed in their neighbourhoods 72 hours in advance of when snow removal will begin, and vehicles need to be moved by 7 a.m. on the date on the sign.

Residential snow removal occurs from Monday to Friday in accordance with the Snow and Ice Control Policy. On average, residential snow removal takes crews three weeks to complete, although that timeline can change based on snow volumes.

An online progress chart is updated so residents an see when their subdivision has been scheduled, and when work is complete and parking is again permitted. Residents can begin parking on residential streets once the orange notification signage has been removed.

In new subdivisions, the developer is responsible for snow removal until such time that the City has taken ownership of the roads and utilities from the developer.

Looking ahead

There’s good news on the way for snow removal in Spruce Grove. The recently approved 2026 Budget and Fiscal Plan includes more staff and machinery for snow removal operations. This investment will help support the service levels residents expect, including faster residential street snow removal.

“I want to sincerely thank residents for their patience as we dig out from this unexpected blast of winter,” said Mayor Acker. “We’ve only seen precipitation like this a handful of times over the past few decades and when it happens, it’s an all-hands-on-deck operation to keep our roads safe and accessible. We know it’s frustrating when your street is snow-covered, but I can assure you that crews will be coming your way soon.”