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 Road Bans

Protect Westlock County Roads

Roads bans protect the safety and integrity of our roads. The spring thaw puts the roads in a fragile state as the frost built up in the road begins to melt.  The roadbed becomes soft as water is trapped between the surface of the road and a layer of frozen ice and gravel underneath.  The roads are especially fragile near the shoulders of the roads.  Heavy, repetitive loads across these roads can create permanent damage, potholes, ruts, and gouges in the road surface.  Westlock County applies seasonal weight restrictions on local roads to protect the infrastructure during this seasonal transition.

Road Weight Restrictions

The roads that have weight restrictions in rural Westlock County cannot withstand heavy or sustained loads and must be protected. Rural roads that allow loads at 100% axle weight during summer, fall and winter change to 75% during Spring Road Bans.

Road Ban FAQ’s

What are posted axle weights? Posted axle weights are the weight restrictions for vehicles that lowers the maximum legal registered permitted weight placed on a road. This protects the infrastructure from damage.

What is overweight? Overweight is defined as the weight on an axle or axle group, or total gross weight, being more than that allowed under the Traffic Safety Act.

When are the road bans in effect? Road ban dates depend on road and weather conditions. Approximately March – June Spring Road Bans (75% on gravel roads)

 

For further information on County road bans, please call the County Office at 780-349-3346 or email Natalie at nrains@westlockcounty.com.

 

For information on Provincial road bans, please call 1-855-762-3226.

 Road Disturbances/Crossings

What is a Road Disturbance and/or Crossing Agreement?

The purpose of a Road Disturbance and/or Crossing Agreement is to provide guidelines and procedures for road disturbance by companies individuals that wish to cross or otherwise disturb the right-of-way.

Do I need a Road Disturbance and/or Crossing Agreement?

Yes, you might. There are several different categories under which a company or individual may be required to enter into a Road Disturbance and/or Crossing Agreement with Westlock County for all projects that consist of working in/along/crossing of the right-of-way. Road Disturbance and/or Crossing Agreements apply year round:

  1. Pipeline/utility road/right-of-way crossings
  2. New approaches or replacement/removal/extension of existing approaches
  3. Ditch clean outs
  4. Other work

 

A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND SIGNED ROAD DISTURBANCE AND/OR CROSSING AGREEMENT MUST BE CARRIED IN THE HAULERS’ VEHICLE(S).

 

Further information: For further information on Road Disturbance and/or Crossing Agreements, please call the County Office at 780-349-3346 or submit a completed application form along with a proposed route map Road Disturbance Agreement Application Sample Form and email to infrastructure@westlockcounty.com

To complete a Customer Service Request Form click Here

 Road Disturbance and or Crossing Agreement Sample Form

 Road Use Agreement

What is a Road Use Agreement?

The purpose of a Road Use Agreements (RUA) is to provide guidelines and procedures for road use by individuals or companies with extensive or continuous haul projects. They are designed to allow individuals or companies to utilize Westlock County roadways for the purpose of hauling equipment, materials or loads, and allow the municipality to impose specific conditions for the roadways based on the Road Protection & Traffic Control By-Law. With more than 1900 km’s of roads within Westlock County there is significant investment in road infrastructure that must be protected.   Westlock County will monitor these haul route(s) and will ensure that Road Use Agreements are enforced to prevent problems that arise from road damage. When roadways are susceptible to damage, road bans and/or even road closures may be issued to prevent further damage and to correct unsafe conditions.

Do I need a Road Use Agreement?

Yes, you might. There are seven (7) different categories under which a hauler may be required to enter into a Road Use Agreement with Westlock County for all hauls exceeding one load. Road Use Agreements apply year round:

  1. Oilfield Industry
  2. Log Haul Industry
  3. Sand & Gravel Industry
  4. Livestock Industry
  5. Fertilizer Industry
  6. Other Industry
  7. Development Commercial/Industrial/Intensive Livestock

 

THESE ARE NOT ROAD BAN EXEMPTION PERMITS.

A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND SIGNED ROAD USE AGREEMENT MUST BE CARRIED IN THE HAULERS’ VEHICLE(S).

 Grading and Snow Removal

Grading

Do you need custom grading? Westlock County can assist you. Ratepayers wishing to have custom grading done may do so by following the guidelines listed below:

  • Complete the Driveway Grading Request Form and sign a waiver at the County office providing a description of the work required and a contact number for the grader operator.
  • Pay for the first half hour of grader time, via cheque, cash, or debit, at a cost of $109.00 including GST.

Anything over the first half hour will be invoiced to the consumer.

 Custom Grading Request Form - NEW_FF.pdf
 

The goal of Westlock County is to clear snow from all roadways within four to five days after the end of a major snowfall. The removal of snow from approaches and driveways will not be done until roadways have been cleared. Clearing of snow from County Roadways will take place in this priority:

  • Arterial roads
  • School bus routes
  • Commercial/Industrial haul routes
  • Collector roads
  • Hamlet roads
  • Other local roads
  • Roads to graveyards
  • Community Hall approaches & parking lots

As a result of our snow clearing activities, windrows may be deposited across laneways. We will do our very best at reducing the extent of these windrows; however, windrows will result from the snow clearing activity. Never pass a grader when it is clearing snow from the roads. Whiteout conditions are often created in the front of the grader and reduce visibility for the operator and traveling public. Stay at least 15m back from the grader and wait for it to pull over before passing. The operators will pull over periodically to let vehicles pass. If you need to get out of your personal driveway sooner than the four to five day snow removal turnaround by our graders then you are responsible to make your own arrangements for driveway clearing. Contact our office for a list of contractors that may be available to assist you with clearing your driveway. In case of an emergency where ambulance/fire/police have to be dispatched by 911 please contact our office or after hours emergency line to have a specific route/driveway cleared for safe entrance and exit for emergency vehicles and the safety of the patient or resident.

Snow Flags

Individuals who wish to have their residence approaches and driveways plowed must purchase a flag from the County office at a cost of $31.50 dollars (including GST) per flag and sign a Hold Harmless Agreement, which is kept on file for future reference. Make sure your flag is visible for our County grader operators at the driveway access point. The operator will then pick up the flag at the time of snow removal from your driveway. Driveways will be done at the discretion of the County, and will only be done from the road to the area where the car or truck is normally parked, near the residence. The County cannot guarantee when the equipment will be available to perform the work of clearing your driveway.  If you require immediate service, please feel free to contact a private contractor to accommodate your needs.

Individual residents that remove snow from their driveways must not push the snow across the road; this can cause gravel loss and create unsafe road conditions. Residents who push snow across the roadway may be fined for creating unsafe road conditions. When pushing snow towards the road, residents are asked to push the snow to the right side of their driveway so that the grader does not push it back in to the driveway when the local road is done. We appreciate your cooperation.

 
Custom Grading Request Form - NEW_FF.pdf
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