City council will debate a new proposed snow plan in the fall. Here’s what it could entail

City staff have outlined a $2.4-million plan to speed up the process of snow and ice clearing.

City staff have a new plan for Edmonton winters, should council eventually choose to accept it.

The Snow and Ice Control Policy and Program Review, which will be presented to city council on Aug. 31, acknowledges both last winter’s heavy dump of snow and an ever-changing climate.

The “Well-Maintained City” package aims to deliver predictable snow clearing on main roads, scale up staffing, support winter events and make movement easier for cyclists and pedestrians. It outlines a $24-million plan to speed up the process of removal and meet public expectations.

During budget talks this fall, city council will have to debate the overhaul to the already existing $60-million removal budget.

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“We’ve done a lot of engagement throughout the last couple of months,” snow and ice removal supervisor Val Dacyk told reporters on Thursday. “We have talked to frontline staff. We’ve talked to other municipalities … The biggest thing we’re working on is timing and availability.”

There are more than a dozen proposed enhancements, including more frequent residential clearing, more enforcement, a focus on event and festival sites and a dedicated bike path team for commuter routes.

Council could also opt to pay for more services beyond what administration has put together – including more frequent school zone clearing, contracted windrow pickups, new “super plows,” senior assistance and revamp neighbourhood parking ban days.

The $24-million-per-year upgrade would also require a one-time $11 million for the likes of new equipment and signage.

Planned changes for the 2026-27 winter, which are not part of the extra budget suggestions, include optimized equipment procurement processes for already existing fleets, enhanced climate mapping through the University of Alberta and refining the guidelines for when to call an emergency or “surge” event, which would see contracted fleets out on roads during extreme weather events.

Council will discuss the package at the end of the month and decide what to fund during budget talks in November.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson