A Moment with the Mayor: Winter Maintenance

Snow is always a popular topic of conversation in Lloydminster, and this winter, it has been top of mind for many residents. I want to take a moment to share some insight into what the City has been doing, the challenges we face, and how our winter maintenance process works.

This has been a particularly demanding season. As of early January, Lloydminster has received 68 centimeters of snow, already surpassing last winter’s total snowfall of 63 centimeters for the entire season. November brought 20 centimeters and December added another 41 centimeters, both well above average. These conditions, combined with fluctuating temperatures and cycles of melting and refreezing, have made snow and ice control especially difficult. Even with these challenges, our city roadways are in as good a condition as can reasonably be expected during ongoing winter conditions.

Despite the weather, City crews and contractors have been working continuously, including through Christmas and New Year’s, to keep roads as safe and passable as possible. Plow trucks, graders and sanding units have been active across the city, focusing first on Priority 1 routes such as main roads and emergency corridors before moving into Priority 2 and 3 areas as conditions allow. If a new snow event occurs, crews return to Priority 1 routes and restart the process to ensure major roadways remain open and safe.

Residents often ask why some streets are plowed or sanded before others. The answer lies in the City’s Winter Maintenance Policy, approved by City Council, which outlines the order and method of snow removal. You can find a priority route map and a short interactive video explaining the process at Lloydminster.ca/WinterMaintenance.

You may also see sanding trucks out before plows arrive. This is intentional, as sanding helps improve traction and reduce collisions while other crews prepare for plowing operations. Another common question is why snow is not always pushed into windrows down the middle of residential streets. While it might seem like a quick fix, leaving windrows for extended periods creates safety hazards and parking challenges. In the past, we have seen people attempt to drive or climb over them, and some even use them to build snow forts. For safety and liability reasons, the City only creates windrows when a full residential snow removal operation is scheduled. During those events, contractors and City crews work diligently to remove windrows within about a day of grading.

One question I hear often is, “Does the Mayor’s street get plowed first?” Absolutely not. Each year, the City rotates its starting zones for residential snow removal to ensure fairness, and the schedule is adjusted to accommodate curbside collection days.

Residents are also reminded not to push snow from private property onto public roads or trails. This practice creates unsafe, uneven surfaces and slows snow clearing efforts. It is also prohibited under Section 9.2 of the Community Standards Bylaw.

If you have a concern about snow or ice on your street, please use the Report a Concern tool at Lloydminster.ca/ReportaConcern. This helps our team track and respond to issues quickly and efficiently. You can also stay informed by following the City’s social media channels or subscribing for updates at Lloydminster.ca/Subscribe.

Our team takes great pride in serving this community. While no snow season is ever easy, I want residents to know that City crews are working hard every day to keep Lloydminster moving safely this winter.

Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers
City of Lloydminster