Snow is Almost Here, and the County of Grande Prairie is Ready

With the early arrival of winter weather in the forecast, the County of Grande Prairie’s dedicated crews and fleet are ready with 23 graders, nine plow trucks, three loaders, and other equipment capable of managing inclement weather.  

The County of Grande Prairie maintains and clears 3,700 km of paved and gravel roads, including those in hamlets and rural subdivisions. Managing such a large area requires a priority system for roads, and cooperation from residents.  

It is important to note that clearing on provincial highways — those numbered with single, double and triple digits, such as Highways 2, 43 and 672 — are managed by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors.  

The County’s priority system for clearing roadways increases efficiency and ensures safety. When large amounts of snow accumulate, County roads are cleared in the following order:  

1. High-volume and high-speed roads are cleared first. These roads, known as arterial roads or hard-surfaced roads, are typically cleared within three business days after 8 cm of snow has accumulated. Based on conditions, salt, sand, and/or gravel may also be applied to priority intersections, road curves, and hills. 
2. Rural gravel roads are cleared after 15 cm of snow has accumulated, typically within five business days. 
3. Hamlets and residential subdivisions are typically cleared once 15 cm of snow has accumulated and within 12 business days, prioritizing high-volume road and school zones. 

Crews work as efficiently as possible, but extreme cold and a cluster of snowfalls in a short period are factors that may delay snow clearing.  

How Can You Help? 

Prepare yourself and your vehicle for the winter driving season:  

• Use caution and reduce driving speeds to the conditions, including when approaching plows, graders, and equipment. 
• Allow extra travel time. 
• Install winter or snow-rated tires.  
• Prepare an emergency kit and refuel regularly. 

Residents are also reminded to watch for digital No Parking signs at hamlet and subdivision entrances. When the No Parking sign is lit, a temporary parking ban is in place to allow for snow clearing. During parking bans, vehicles must be moved from roadways between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. If vehicles are not moved, they may be towed and fined at the owner’s expense. Areas that will have temporary parking bans include: 

• The Hamlets of: 
  • Clairmont, from 100 Avenue to 116 Avenue 
  • Hythe 
  • La Glace 
    
    
• Subdivisions of:  
  • Westlake Village 
  • Whispering Ridge  
  • Wedgewood 
  • Maple Ridge 
  • Taylor Estates 

Parking bans are only applicable to areas with a concrete curb and gutter and street parking. Snow removal in County rural estate subdivisions that have ditches like Carriage Lane and Goldenrod Estates, is done on a separate schedule.  

Finally, remember to only shovel or push snow onto your own property, and not onto or across roadways where it may cause windrows and damage snow-clearing equipment or vehicles. This applies to hamlets, subdivisions, and all range roads and township roads. Let’s all do our part to keep our roads and neighbours safe this winter.  

Visit www.countygp.ab.ca/snowremoval for complete parking ban and snow removal information and what residents should do to ensure safe and efficient clearing. 

Receive real-time updates on snowplow progress and temporary parking restrictions in select County hamlets and residential neighbourhoods. Download the Voyent Alert app or subscribe for alerts by email, text, or landline phone at www.countygp.ab.ca/alerts  

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Media Contact:  
Ryan Konowalyk 
General Manager, Transportation and Utilities 
780-532-7393