Lethbridge saves on windrow assistance program with plowing to right

The City of Lethbridge wants to see its windrow assistance program continue into the next winter season, with plowing to the right.

The pilot program was implemented last year to assist residents who have mobility issues to remove snow during a heavy event.

There was only one major snow event this past winter where the program was needed.

The snow and ice budget of $3.8 million saw a deficit of $500,000 due to three significant snow events over the past two seasons.

The city says plowing to the right reduces the cost to $260 per kilometre, compared to removal costs of $6,800 per kilometre.

The idea for the assistance program was first brought forward in 2021.

“When KPMG looked at what other municipalities do and what we do, they found that we had 81 kilometres where we were doing this very elaborate operation with snow removal, and they said compared to other communities, that’s very uncommon and that we should consider to just do plowing, which is way cheaper,” said Juliane Ruck, City of Lethbridge transportation operations manager.

The SPC has recommended that city council approve the windrow assistance program next winter.