County of Minburn updates Winter Maintenance Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

County of Minburn updates Winter Maintenance Policy to improve clarity, service levels, and community safety

County of Minburn, October 16, 2025 – The County of Minburn Council has approved a new Winter Maintenance Policy to replace the former Snow Clearing Policy. This updated policy ensures residents and road users have clear information about winter road priorities, timelines for snow clearing, and services available for private driveways and community facilities.

“Keeping our roads safe and passable during Alberta winters is one of the County’s most important responsibilities,” said Pat Podoborozny, Chief Administrative Officer, County of Minburn. “The new Winter Maintenance Policy provides clearer standards, timelines, and fairness across our road network, while ensuring flexibility when emergencies or severe storms occur.”

Key updates in the new policy:

• Clear timelines: For the first time, snow clearing service levels are tied to specific timelines after a snowfall of 15 cm.
• Priority 1 – School bus routes and paved (hardtop) roads cleared within 2 days.
• Priority 2 – Major roads or emergency routes connecting communities cleared within 3 days after Priority 1.
• Priority 3 – Minor roads, hamlets, and subdivisions cleared within 5 days after Priority 2.
• Priority 4 – Remaining gravel and unimproved roads cleared within 8 days after Priority 3.
• Private driveways: Driveway clearing remains available in rural areas by signed agreement, with priority for residents with disabilities or medical needs. Hamlet and subdivision driveways remain ineligible.
• Community facilities: For the first time, the County has outlined how community halls, places of worship, and cemeteries may request snow clearing support through a signed agreement.
• Legal compliance: The policy aligns with the Municipal Government Act, ensuring that previously winter-closed roads are now included in the County’s winter maintenance program.

The policy also gives Operations staff the authority to adapt to weather conditions, emergencies, and resource constraints while maintaining fairness and accountability.

“Winter in rural Alberta is unpredictable, but this policy provides certainty for residents about when roads will be cleared and transparency on how we make decisions,” said Podoborozny .

The new Winter Maintenance Policy takes effect immediately and will guide operations for the 2025–2026 winter season.

For more information, visit https://minburncounty.ab.ca/snow-removal