On March 26, 2026, maintenance crews in Red Deer, Alberta, are working around the clock to spread sand on city streets as warm weather and new snow create slippery driving conditions. The city is using 17 sanding trucks to improve safety, focusing first on high-priority “Purple Routes” such as hills, bridges, and roads leading to the hospital.
Greg Sikora, the Manager of Parks and Public Works for the City of Red Deer, says crews are working to keep more than 1,200 lane kilometres of roads moving. These icy conditions are common during the spring thaw, when snow melts during the day and turns into ice overnight. Because the warm weather makes the ground soft, the city also put road bans for heavy trucks in place on March 19, 2026, to prevent damage.
Residents are encouraged to allow for extra travel time and to be careful while driving or walking. If someone sees a particularly dangerous icy spot, they can report it by calling 403-342-8238 or by using the city’s online reporting system.
For those looking to clear their own sidewalks, the city offers a free sand and salt mixture (consisting of 90 per cent sand and 10 per cent salt). This can be picked up at the Civic Yards located at 7721-40 Avenue in the Riverside Industrial Park.
