Main content of the website

  1. Home
  2. Town Services
  3. Public Works

Public Works

  • font size:A
  • A
  • A


SUMMER STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
With over 75 km of open roads to maintain, the Town of Didsbury’s road maintenance crew always has a job to do. From street cleaning and snow removal, the roads crew is also kept busy with patching and painting roads, to sidewalk and curb repairs, street signs, grading laneways, Public Works crews are kept busy during our summer season. 

STREET SWEEPING

Street sweeping commences mid- April, typically taking about 3-4 weeks to complete but may be delayed by cold or wet weather; parked vehicles; or excessive amounts of winter sand and debris.

Street Sweeping Map
 
To provide efficient and quick sweeping, our equipment needs to get to the curb without obstructions. Please observe the following:
  • Monday to Friday daytime parking on your street if possible
  • Safety is important for everyone, so please watch children carefully when the sweeper is on the roadway
  • Please watch for signage indicating street sweeping in your area. Follow the Town of Didsbury on Facebook (@townofdidsbury) and Instagram (@townofdidsburyab) for regular updates! 
Your cooperation and patience are greatly appreciated. For further information, please call the Town’s Public Works Department at 403.335.8343.
 
POTHOLE PATCHING
Repairs are completed as quickly as possible. However, potholes may develop after a rainstorm or as the frost comes out of the ground. To report a pothole within the Town, please contact our Information Line at 403-335-2030.


Watch below an informative video on how potholes are formed and and develop over time. 


LINE & CROSSWALK PAINTING
Line painting is usually finished by late-summer. Signs are posted indicating traffic diversions as the paint dries.
 
STREET REPAIRS
From April to September, the road maintenance crew completes repairs to Town sidewalks, curbs, streets and boulevards that were excavated by our Utilities Crew in late-fall and winter when the soil conditions made permanent repairs impossible. Affected residents will be notified in advance prior to these repairs and street resurfacing projects.

STREETLIGHTS
Streetlights are the responsibility of FORTIS.  Please report any streetlight issues directly to FORTIS at 403.310.9473 or via email using their General Inquiry Form on Fortis Alberta's website under the Contact Us section.
 

BRANCH AND COMPOST FACILITY 

Please be advised that the branch and compost drop off facility is now permanently closed. 

The branch drop off program was established to assist Didsbury residents with their spring and after-storm yard clean-up. This year, however, too many were abusing the free service by also dropping off garbage and commercial waste in the bin area. The overuse and misuse has resulted in its permanent closure.   

Each construction season, the department accepts waste excavation material from various Town activities (concrete, asphalt etc.). These materials are then used for new projects and for creating a berm for a burn barrier. Each spring we dispose of excess material at the regional landfill.

The landfill requires the material to be free of debris to be considered clean fill and it is disposed of free of charge. To decrease the cost of disposal, the Town of Didsbury public works department does a rough screening to remove boulders, concrete and asphalt which has contaminated the soil. This operation takes considerable time each year. This year, due to overwhelming and improper use, the process is taking much longer than usual, and the cost for staff and equipment is too high to continue the service. 

Residents with branches and yard waste have a few options for disposal:

  • For compost (grass, leaves etc.): You can request an additional Green Bin by emailing us here. The cost is an additional $3/month, with a one time service fee of $35.00.
  • For branches: You can use the Landfill and Transfer Site in Didsbury. The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Please note that this is a user pay site. For directions or more information, please call 403-335-2005
    or visit their website here.


 
WINTER STREETS AND SIDEWALKS

SNOW PLOWING

Your Public Works Department strives to improve winter maintenance habits while minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers. The primary goal of Public Works is to provide for the safe and orderly movement of emergency equipment, vehicle traffic and pedestrians throughout the community during winter months, especially during storm periods. This is done by the sanding of intersections and roads on an as-needed basis. Snowplowing shall commence when an excess of 10cm (4 inches) has accumulated. Streets will be done in accordance with our Snow Plowing Priority Map. During and following storm events, the snow will be plowed into windrows at the edge of the roadway.  Removal of snow windrows in the downtown core will occur during early morning hours on an as-needed" basis, but not after every storm.  Piling the snow in the middle of the roadway creates a hazard to individuals trying to cross the roadway and to drivers attempting to turn into and pull out from parking spaces. When cleaning your walkway and parking area, please deposit the snow on your property.

 


WHEN WILL MY STREET BE PLOWED?
The Town of Didsbury has approximately 75 kilometers of operational roads.  Not all of these streets need to be maintained in the winter to the same degree. The degree of winter maintenance effort will vary in accordance with the role that a particular street plays in the total transportation network.  

SIDEWALK CLEANING
Generally, sidewalk snow plowing is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.  The Town will clear the snow on sidewalks adjacent to public facilities, parks, and open spaces. The time that the sidewalk plowing commences may vary due to the time of day and available manpower and is normally carried out during regular working hours. Sidewalks along with designated school walking areas with sidewalks receive first priority.

SALTING AND SANDING
A sand-salt mix will be applied to roadways to assist in providing traction when there is snow and/or ice on the roadway. It is the sand that provides traction. Although road salt on its own is effective at melting the snow and ice, it is only effective at temperatures above -10 C. Road salt is mixed with the sand material to prevent moisture in the sand from freezing.  Critical areas such as hills, curves, intersections and approaches to railroad crossings are sanded throughout a storm. Sand and salt are applied as necessary and at rates that are both effective, economical and that minimize the environmental impact.