PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The City of Prince Albert will begin grading residential streets on Monday, Jan. 26, as part of its ongoing winter road maintenance program aimed at improving driving conditions during periods of heavy snowfall and fluctuating temperatures.
City snow operations crews are scheduled to move into neighbourhoods throughout the coming weeks, with officials reminding residents that temporary parking restrictions will be required to allow equipment to work safely and efficiently. The city said vehicles left on streets where no-parking signs have been posted may be ticketed or towed.
The grading program is intended to reduce ruts and address deep snowpack that can build up on residential roads over the winter. City officials noted that freeze-thaw cycles — especially as spring approaches — can turn compacted snow and ice into slush during the day, before refreezing overnight into sharp ruts that create hazardous driving conditions.
To support the operation, residents are being asked to watch for temporary no-parking signs in their neighbourhoods and to comply with posted restrictions. The city said the signs are typically installed the afternoon before grading begins, with the work taking place the following day.
Updates on where crews are operating will be shared through the City of Prince Albert’s social media channels. The city also has an online map showing residential snow grading areas, available at: https://bit.ly/3NWhHlA.
Scheduling built around waste collection routes
Before residential streets are scheduled for grading, the city said it reviews garbage and recycling collection schedules. The goal is to avoid having crews clear around curbside bins and to reduce service disruptions for residents.
This coordination is meant to keep grading operations moving efficiently while limiting interference with routine municipal services, particularly in neighbourhoods where bins may be placed close to the curb or where windrows could affect access.
What grading looks like — and why it’s used
The city said residential streets are typically graded up to two times between December and March, depending on snowfall amounts and temperature conditions across Prince Albert.
Grading is commonly used after significant snowfall, when ruts form from repeated vehicle traffic on snow-covered roads. It can also be used proactively in anticipation of warmer temperatures that soften deep snowpack, making rutting worse.
During spring-like conditions, the city said snow and ice can soften into slush during the day. When temperatures drop again overnight, those ruts harden and become difficult for vehicles to navigate safely, particularly on narrower residential streets.
Windrows and narrowed lanes are expected
While grading can improve the overall driving surface, the city said it comes with trade-offs.
Grading creates windrows — ridges of snow pushed toward the curb — which can narrow driving lanes and reduce access to on-street parking. In spring, windrows often become solid ice and compacted snow, which can be difficult to move without specialized equipment.
City officials said the decision to grade involves balancing the benefits of smoother driving conditions against the impact of windrows along the curb line.
Snow removal priorities focus on key areas
The city emphasized that residential windrows are not lifted and trucked out as part of standard snow operations.
Instead, snow lifting is prioritized in higher-traffic or higher-risk locations, including:
- Downtown areas
- School zones
- Targeted arterial streets
- Bus stops
- Residential areas prone to spring flooding
In some neighbourhoods, the city noted that property owners may choose to hire private contractors to remove snow in front of their homes at their own expense. However, officials cautioned that when a street is later graded, snow will be stored again in those cleared curb areas as part of the normal process.
Driveway access and how to report issues
The city said crews make every effort to avoid leaving windrows across driveways during grading.
A loader follows the grader to clear driveways, and residents are asked to allow time for this secondary pass before reporting concerns. If a driveway windrow exceeds six inches, the city said crews will return to remove it.
Residents experiencing driveway access issues are being directed to submit concerns through the City’s Roadways Concern Form at: https://srportal.citypa.ca/public, using the keyword Snow – Snow Blockage.
The city’s update was issued by Jeff Da Silva, Director of Public Works for the City of Prince Albert.
For more information, residents can continue to monitor city updates as crews move through residential areas beginning Jan. 26.
