Town of Didsbury

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 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. The sand in the mixture provides traction and, although road salt on its own is effective at melting the snow and ice, it is only effective at temperatures above -10^o 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 effective and economical, and that minimize the environmental impact. 

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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; completing sidewalk and curb repairs; installing and maintaining street signs; and grading laneways. Public Works crews are certainly kept busy during our summer season. 

STREET SWEEPING

Street sweeping usually begins in mid-April (weather dependent), and typically takes about three to four weeks to complete. Work may, of course, be delayed by cold or wet weather; parked vehicles; or excessive amounts of winter sand and debris.

Street Sweeping Map

 

To provide efficient and thorough sweeping, Street Sweeping equipment needs to get to the curb without obstructions. Please observe the following, when it is your street's turn to be swept:

• Eliminate 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 will be 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 of 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.

Current updates to the construction projects you are seeing around town:

21 Street: 21 Street is open to traffic, and has reached substantial completion. The contractor will be back in the spring to complete restoration of the landscape and finish up some private concrete work such as sidewalk and driveway repairs. We appreciate everyone's patience over the past summer and we are very pleased with the incredible improvements to the quality of pedestrian and vehicular movements through the corridor.

Cemetery Pathway: The pathway has been replaced, with landscaping to occur in 2023.

Concrete and Asphalt Repair and Maintenance Program: The concrete work was completed in the summer but, unfortunately, the asphalt repair and maintenance portion is incomplete. The contractor will be returning in the spring to complete the asphalt component of the project.