Street Cleaning

The Towns annual Spring street sweeping program has commenced.  This year, Town crews will initially focus street cleaning of all our major roads first and cleaning Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes across our Town.  Cleaning these routes also includes removal of gravels along the sides of the road where windrowed snow has melted away leaving these deposited materials behind.  Most of these routes will be signed a day in advance indicating the scheduled window for cleaning of that particular route.  Regular and frequent communication messaging will also be utilized to inform of scheduled cleaning activities.  

Once cleaning of Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes is complete, crews will then shift efforts into residential areas and Priority 3 routes.  Using the Town’s neighborhood zoning system (same zoning system used by Waste Collection), crews will assess areas in a predetermined order of neighborhoods and determine areas requiring cleaning.  The order of neighborhoods chosen for each year is based on the scheduling from the previous year – i.e. the neighborhoods done at the end in the previous year move to the top of the list and all other neighborhoods move down and so on.  Roads that have been assessed and identified as in need of cleaning will also be signed in advance in addition to notifications through Town communication messaging.

Cleaning efforts are subject to weather and equipment and may change depending on these or other factors.  Residents are encouraged to check in regularly to the Town’s website for up to date information. 

As with any heavy machines, the public are advised to stay back from street cleaning equipment when the equipment is engaged.  Street cleaning equipment can generate a large amount of dust that can make it challenging for both the equipment operators and the public.  The public is reminded to proceed with extreme caution when in the vicinity of street cleaning equipment or whenever possible, avoid areas where equipment is in operation. 

Residents are reminded that the Town’s street cleaner runs year round and while crews will endeavour to complete a 100% sweep success rate during spring cleaning.  If an area was missed in your community, contact Operations (403) 938-8952 to let us know so that we can assess and follow up accordingly.  

Progress Update (ongoing, check regularly)

June 26 scheduled street cleaning for residential routes:

  • Crews will return to finish Crystal Green Area
  • Street sweeping in Drake Landing Area

The public are reminded to proceed with extreme caution when in the vicinity of street cleaning equipment, obey all construction signage, or whenever possible avoid this area while equipment is in operation.

Street cleaning map

Resident Responsibility

Street cleaning signs are placed at the main intersections of residential areas during spring clean-up. If you see a street sweeping sign as you enter your neighborhood, Town crews are scheduled to be in your residential area and your vehicles must be off the street.

You can assist the Town by removing your vehicle from the street before the sweepers arrive. Please remove ramps or other obstructions (including basketball hoops) from the gutter in front of your driveway to allow the sweeper to properly clean the gutter.

Street cleaning scheduled on same day as your garbage / recycling collection day?  Not to worry.  Street cleaning typically spans over 2 days as identified on street cleaning signs.  Scheduling crews do their best to schedule cleaning in areas on non-garbage and recycling collection days however, this is not always avoided.  Should your area be scheduled for cleaning on your garbage / recycling collection day, place your refuse bins out as usual.  Transportation crews monitor these areas when cleaning is occurring and will move bins if needed to allow the sweeper to pass by. 

Street Cleaning Year Round

The Town Transportation department is responsible for ensuring the transportation network is kept in good order and that it remains in a safe condition for all users.  One unique aspect of our Town is the use of our street sweeper year round including the winter months when it is safe to do so. Often times, road gravel that is spread on streets during and following snow events and over the course of the winter will over time eventually be displaced to the sides of the road.  This is especially the case along our main roads where more gravel is cast further away into parking lanes and boulevard areas by vehicles traveling at higher speeds.  As gravel accumulations in these areas are generally no longer useful for snow and ice control, the street sweeper will be mobilized during dry spells in the winter to perform dry sweeps in these areas.  

We have found that not only is this an effective means to keeping gravel and other unwanted sediments out of the storm drainage systems, this activity also greatly speeds up our cleaning efforts when we are engaged with major cleaning programs done later in the spring.  We have also found that proactively keeping waste and other debris out of the storm sewer year round helps prevent storm sewer blockages, damage to the storm sewer system, and minimizes potential for overland flooding especially during high runoff events.  

The public is reminded to proceed cautiously when driving behind or passing any roadway maintenance equipment.  The public's assistance in this regard ensures that our operators can effectively and safely operate road maintenance equipment. 

Street Sweeping
Operations Centre
100-1118 North Railway Street Okotoks, AB
Sun: Closed
Mon - Fri: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Sat: Closed
Due to COVID-19, the Operations Centre remains CLOSED to the public. Services will continue to be available by phone, email, or online until further notice.
  • General Inquiries: 403-938-4372 Contact Online
    After Hours Emergency: 403-938-2985
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