PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The City of Prince Albert has lifted its snow route parking ban following several days of intensive clearing operations prompted by a major winter storm that blanketed the northern Saskatchewan city with roughly 35 centimetres of snow.
The municipality said the ban, which took effect at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, has now been rescinded, allowing residents to resume parking on designated emergency routes. The move marks a transition in the city’s snow-clearing efforts as crews shift their focus to other critical transportation corridors and prepare for additional cleanup in the downtown core.
City officials declared the parking restriction earlier in the week to allow snow-removal equipment unobstructed access to priority streets. These routes, marked with signs stating “No Parking When Declared”, are considered essential for maintaining traffic flow, emergency response access, and public safety during and after significant snow events.
In a statement, the city acknowledged the co-operation of residents during the restriction period.
“When a parking ban is declared, all parked vehicles must be removed from priority one streets that are signed ‘No Parking When Declared’. Thank you to all the motorists who arranged for their vehicles to be moved. Now that the parking ban has been lifted, residents can resume parking on designated Emergency Routes.”
The snowstorm that prompted the ban delivered approximately 35 centimetres (14 inches) of snow, creating hazardous driving conditions and requiring a coordinated municipal response. Snow accumulation of that scale can significantly disrupt transportation networks, slow emergency services, and increase operational costs for municipalities responsible for clearing and hauling snow.
Following the lifting of the ban, municipal crews are continuing with the next phases of their winter maintenance plan. The city said snow-clearing teams will turn their attention to transit routes beginning Saturday, ensuring public transportation services can operate safely and on schedule.
Transit corridors are considered a high priority because they support essential commuting and economic activity, including travel to workplaces, schools, and commercial centres. Clearing these routes helps minimize disruptions for businesses and workers relying on public transit.
In addition, a downtown snow lift is scheduled for Sunday. Snow lifts involve removing accumulated snow from streets and transporting it to designated storage areas, rather than simply pushing it aside. This process is often necessary in dense commercial areas where repeated plowing can create large snowbanks that restrict parking, reduce visibility, and impede pedestrian and vehicle movement.
Downtown snow removal is particularly important for local businesses, which depend on accessible streets and parking to maintain customer traffic. Winter maintenance operations can therefore play a direct role in supporting economic activity, especially in smaller urban centres like Prince Albert, where the downtown remains a key commercial hub.
Municipal snow clearing is governed by established policies designed to prioritize routes based on their importance to traffic flow and public safety. Priority one routes typically include emergency corridors, major arterial roads, and transit routes, followed by collector streets and residential roads.
The city encouraged residents seeking more information to consult its online resources, which include detailed maps of designated snow routes and its Snow and Ice Control Policy. These tools help residents and businesses anticipate restrictions and understand how snow-clearing operations may affect parking and travel.
Snow removal represents a significant operational responsibility for Canadian municipalities, particularly in prairie provinces such as Saskatchewan, where winter storms can deliver large volumes of snow in a short period. Effective planning and public compliance with parking restrictions are key factors in ensuring timely clearing and minimizing broader economic and transportation disruptions.
The City of Prince Albert said its crews will continue working in the coming days to complete clearing and hauling operations as part of its ongoing winter maintenance program.
Residents are advised to remain aware of future parking restrictions and snow-clearing updates as winter conditions continue.
For a complete map of priority snow routes and additional policy details, the city directs residents to its Snow Clearing Operations webpage.