Road cleanup early this year
May 24 long weekend deadline a week earlier than normal
Edmontonians can expect to see cleaner streets sooner than last year because of the mild winter and early spring.
Crews are to start work in neighbourhoods on Tuesday.
“Right now, I’m projecting we are two weeks ahead,” said Roland Aitchison, superintendent of operations with roadway maintenance.
“Our deadline to complete street sweeping is June 1. I’m shooting for completion by May long (weekend).”
The rain and snow that was forecast to hit Edmonton on Wednesday night would not a ect the schedule.
“Last week, the storm delayed us a day or two, but we are back on track and we are ready if there are weather problems,” Aitchison said.
The cleanup will cover 4,700 kilometres of roads, including major roads, residential streets, alleyways and boulevards.
Street signs indicating that cleaning crews will be arriving will be placed in neighbourhoods. The city wants Edmontonians to remove litter and debris from boulevards attached to their residential or commercial properties.
Residents are also asked not to park on the street when the signs are present. “People see us when we are there and are co-operating really well,” said Aitchison.
About 80 per cent of the sand that’s collected from sweeping is cleaned and reused for winter road maintenance, reducing the strain on city landfills and saving about $5 million in reduced truck travel, sand purchasing and landfill reduction.
The city has 20 sweepers that deal with the north side of Edmonton and contractors who deal with the south side. “It’s a co-operative effort,” said Aitchison.
The budget for street sweeping is about $12 million, a little higher than last year.
“Di erent this year is that we are giving a heads-up on the (city) website telling (residents) when we are going to be there, and we will be as accurate as possible, depending on the weather.”
A street-sweeping schedule is available online at edmonton. ca/streetcleaning.