Skip to content

Bring on the snow

With snow already on the ground, the town is geared up for snow removal between Nov. 1 and March 31.

By Jasmine Franklin

Ponoka is prepared for this year’s winter battle.

With snow already on the ground, the town is geared up for snow removal between Nov. 1 and March 31.

“The 2009 snow removal budget up to Dec. 31 is $54,000 and over $30,000 has been spent from earlier this year,” said Stan Baliant, director of property services for the Town of Ponoka.

There are 90 kilometres of roads for snow removal with some of the priority roads including 50th, 49th, 46th and 67th Streets. Residential areas will be cleared on a rotational sequence in orders of Lucas Heights, North End and Central, and Riverside. According to the snow policy, the area that is done second in rotation will be first the next time until the areas are cleared.

The snow removal and ice control policy aims to reduce the inconvenience of snow and ice conditions for motorists and pedestrians. The town will undertake snow removal and ice control on the town’s streets, lanes, and sidewalks.

Snow removal operations will begin when snow accumulates to 10 centimetres and only major high volume roadways will be plowed to the road surface.

According to the policy, straight road salt will be used only during weather conditions where sand won’t be sufficient, such as freezing rain or sleet. Primary concerns for ice control are intersections at traffic lights, railway crossings, bridges and corners on arterial roadways and abutting highways and hills.