Snow Sanding and Plowing

Winter weather, including snow and ice, affects daily life. The Town of Hinton prioritizes street snow clearing and sanding to keep roads safe for residents.

Preparation 

Our crews follow the Priorities for Street Snow Clearing and Sanding policy. They monitor weather conditions, keep equipment ready with sand and salt, and ensure plow blades are installed. Staff are prepared for call-outs, with at least one worker and one supervisor on call after hours and on weekends.

Plowing

Snow plowing begins after about five centimetres of accumulation. The priority routes are:

1. Switzer Drive from Hill Access to Valley Access,
2. Dr. Reid Way,
3. Jug Handle,
4. Robb Road and
5. Mountain Street (Highway #16 – Robb Road)

These roads are cleared first for safety and to minimize inconvenience. Other areas are plowed after snowfall ends. Intersections along Switzer Drive and MacLeod Avenue are cleared back for visibility.

Once priority roads are complete, crews split into Hill and Valley districts:

Hill Area sequence:

• Collinge Road & Wanyandi Avenue
• Eaton Road & Government Road
• Kelley Road & West River Road
• MacLeod Avenue (Switzer Drive to Rowan Street)
• Streets near schools
• Service roads along Highway 16
• Parks West Mall access & Woodley Drive
• Jarvis Street
• Access to water and sewer facilities
• Hill Shopping Centre (as needed, about 10 cm)
• Residential streets as required

Valley Area sequence:

• Hardisty Avenue (Switzer Drive to Switzer Drive)
• Tamarack Avenue & Tamarack Drive
• Maurer Drive & Boutin Avenue
• East River Road to corporate limits
• Streets near schools
• Thompson Lake area
• Remaining intersections near Switzer Drive
• Recreation Centre parking lot
• Hampshire Road
• Swanson Drive
• Access to water and sewer facilities
• Valley Shopping Centre (as needed, about 10 cm)
• Residential streets as required

Sanding/Salting

During icy conditions, sand and salt are applied in this order:

1. Switzer Drive (Hill Access to Valley Access),
2. Dr. Reid Way (Hospital Entrance),
3. Robb Road including Mountain Street Intersection,
4. Jug Handle.

Trucks then split into Hill and Valley areas:

Hill Area sequence:

• Mountain Street (Robb Road to Hwy 16, including Gerard Redmond School)
• Collinge Road area (Roche Miette School)
• Eaton Road & Government Road
• Kelley Road & West River Road
• MacLeod Avenue (Mountain View School)
• Service roads along Hwy 16
• Jarvis Street & Forest Heights
• Remaining Hill area & Hill Shopping Centre
• Intersections near Switzer Drive

Valley Area sequence:

• Hardisty Avenue (Crescent Valley School)
• Tamarack Avenue & Tamarack Drive
• Sunwapta Drive (Harry Collinge High School)
• Maurer Drive & Boutin Avenue
• Thompson Lake
• Valley area streets
• Streets near Hardisty & Switzer
• Valley Shopping Centre

General

Snow is usually graded to the middle of the street, then blown and hauled away. Electronic message boards will show which streets are scheduled for clearing. Graders may work two or three streets ahead for efficiency.

Disabled parking stalls on Town property are cleared as needed. Shopping centres are plowed early mornings, generally within 48 hours after snowfall ends.

Plowing during snowfall happens only if it’s safer than waiting. During heavy or prolonged snow, we ask for your patience while we make roads safe.

Please give crews space to work. Do not pass plows or trucks, and move vehicles when possible. This helps keep everyone safe.

For more information, call 780-865-2634.

Home Sidewalk Clearing

Property owners and occupants must clear snow, ice and debris from sidewalks within 48 hours after snowfall ends, as per the Nuisance Bylaw (No. 1185-1). Failure to do so can result in liability for accidents or injuries.

Do not deposit snow, ice, sand, dirt or debris from your property onto the road.

For details, contact Bylaw Services at 780-865-6009.