PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Snow removal operations remain in full force across Prince Albert following a major winter storm, with municipal crews working extended shifts, re-clearing key routes and preparing a downtown snow lift to support local businesses and restore transportation services.
The City of Prince Albert said in a statement that its roadways team continues to focus on priority emergency corridors after prolonged and heavy snowfall forced crews to revisit streets that had already been cleared to maintain safe access for emergency vehicles and commuters.
“Our Roadways crew has been working long hours to keep up with the heavy snowfall, needing to return to emergency routes that had already cleared. They worked 16 hours yesterday and started again early this morning,” says Jeff Da Silva, Director of Public Works. “We’ll be working as many hours as safely possible to keep traffic moving, starting with emergency routes, then transit routes, and finally throughout the rest of the City.”
Municipal officials said the extended operations reflect both the volume of snow and the operational realities of prairie winter storms, which can quickly undo progress due to drifting and blowing snow.
The city has also scheduled a downtown snow lift for Sunday, targeting significant accumulation in the Downtown Business District. Snow lifts involve removing built-up snow entirely rather than pushing it aside, a process often used in high-traffic commercial areas to restore parking access and improve pedestrian safety.
To support the effort, Prince Albert is bringing in private contractors as they become available — a step the city described as standard practice during larger snow events. Additional equipment and operators can help accelerate clearing timelines and reduce disruptions for businesses already navigating winter conditions.
Snow clearing operations typically follow a structured priority system, starting with emergency routes used by police, fire and ambulance services. Crews then move on to transit routes before expanding into residential streets and other areas.
The storm response has also affected public transit services, with some routes experiencing delays or disruptions due to road conditions. City officials said crews are working to restore transit routes and return to normal schedules as soon as possible, with updates posted through the city’s transit information channels.
In the meantime, a Snow Route Parking Ban remains in effect, requiring drivers to immediately remove vehicles from designated snow routes marked by signs. Parking restrictions are a critical part of snow removal logistics, allowing graders and plows to clear streets curb-to-curb efficiently and safely.
Municipalities across Saskatchewan routinely rely on such parking bans following significant snowfall, as parked vehicles can slow clearing operations and leave hazardous snowpack behind.
City officials are also urging residents to report problem areas, noting that blowing snow may render some roads temporarily impassable even after plowing. Residents can submit concerns online through the city’s reporting portal or through its customer service hub.
The prolonged cleanup underscores the financial and operational strain major snow events can place on mid-sized Canadian cities. Snow removal is one of the most significant seasonal expenses for municipalities, often requiring overtime hours, contractor support and extended equipment use.
Downtown businesses, in particular, rely on timely snow removal to maintain customer access and delivery operations. Snow lifts in commercial districts are typically scheduled once initial plowing is complete and sufficient equipment becomes available.
While the city did not provide a timeline for completing all neighbourhood clearing, officials said operations will continue as long as conditions require and crews can work safely.
Municipal leaders also emphasized safety, asking residents to slow down when passing snow-clearing equipment and give operators enough room to work.
“The City would like to thank everyone for their patience and support as we tackle this snow together. When you see graders and loaders at work, please slow down and give our crews plenty of space.”
Residents can monitor progress through the city’s online snow operations map, which provides updates on which streets have been cleared and where crews are currently working.
With more winter weather possible in the coming weeks, city officials said maintaining cleared emergency and transit routes will remain the top priority to ensure essential services and daily activity can continue with minimal disruption.