The Westlock County Transportation Department is responsible for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure within the County. Tasks include but are not limited to occasional road construction/rehabilitation, general road/ditch/culvert/bridge maintenance, road gravelling/patching, dust suppression, snow removal, signage, and roadside brushing. The Transportation Department is responsible for approximately 2,100km of rural roadways and road maintenance within 9 hamlets and 11 subdivisions.
Westlock County Transportation is responsible for the following services:
- Road Construction and Maintenance
- Grading
- Dust Suppression
- Overweight Permits
- Road Bans
- Road Disturbances/Crossings
- Road-Use Agreements
- Snow Removal
Transportation Key Contacts
James Plain
General Manager of Infrastructure Services
Tom Stump
Transportation Foreman
Natalie Rains
Infrastructure Services Coordinator
780-307-0585
Services
Transportation crews perform preventative maintenance activities throughout the year to improve the quality and extend the life of County roads, keeping them driveable and safe. Road construction may involve repairing old roads, brush removal, re-grading, patching sections of road, cleaning out ditches and installation of new culverts. During construction, slower moving traffic, rougher road conditions, higher noise levels and possibly road closures or detours may occur. Signage for road construction and bridgework is typically posted prior to a scheduled project. Your safety is important to us, please use care, and caution when driving through construction areas. Obey signs, flag people, and slow down so we can all arrive home safely.
2018 Road Study
The rural road study summarizes the general nature of the entire road network within Westlock County and provides potential construction activity locations over the next 10 years. All potential construction activities are at the discretion of Westlock County Council and can be amended, delayed, or cancelled at any time at the direction of Westlock County Council. The road study assumes that the current 4 year rotational graveling program along with regular maintenance as established by current County policy will continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I call the County how long before someone calls me back?
A: Westlock County will try their best to respond to most calls within 48hours however there may be unforeseen circumstances that may require longer response time.
Q: How often are County roads graded?
A: Most roads in Westlock County are graded on average 2-3 times per month (2-3 passes) dependent on traffic volumes.
Q: How often are County roads gravelled?
A: Typically gravel roads are resupplied with gravel on a rotating schedule with high traffic volume roads may be graveled more often. Policy 8.16 states Westlock County will attempt to gravel approximately 440km/year. Weather plays a significant role in determining the road maintenance activities and schedule.
Q: Do I need a Road Use Agreement?
A: 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:
- Oilfield Industry
- Log Haul Industry
- Sand & Gravel Industry
- Livestock Industry
- Fertilizer Industry
- Other Industry
- Development Commercial/Industrial/Intensive Livestock
Q: Why is there not a speed limit sign on every road in the County?
A: The standard posted speed limit throughout Westlock County is 80km unless otherwise posted.
Q: What are the future plans for paving my road?
A: There are no immediate plans for paving any roadways within Westlock County as most of the roads were built 50 plus years ago and rebuilding all of the roads would cost millions of dollars and take several decades to accomplish to today’s standards.
Q: Why can’t I buy gravel from the County?
A: All gravel and/or materials are purchased for County purposes only.
Q: Who do I talk to about concerns for the Provincial Highways?
A: Alberta Transportation North Central Region Office 780-674-4700 or Emcon Services 1-800-390-2242.
Q: How do I report a burned out streetlight?
A: Reporting a streetlight outage in a subdivision or a hamlet may be done by contacting Fortis online at https://service.fortisalberta.com/streetlights; and/or by calling 780-310-9473. Make sure that you have your municipal address available when reporting the outage.
Q: How do I request a new streetlight for my area?
A: A letter requesting why you feel that a streetlight is required, should be addressed to Council for consideration or it can be emailed directly to ea@westlockcounty.com
Q: Does the County provide snow removal for private driveways?
A: Yes, Westlock County offers snow removal to rural residents who purchase a snow flag for the cost of $30.00 (+ GST) to have their driveway cleared per request upon filling out a Hold Harmless Agreement. The flag must be visible from the roadway for the operator and will be completed after all main roadways are cleared first. If residents require quicker response time then a private contractor may need to be hired to perform the work at the cost of the resident.
Q: Is a landowner permitted to landscape the ditch or otherwise run property drainage into the County ditches surrounding their property? .
A: The purpose of ditches is to maintain the integrity of the road infrastructure and not for private drainage. A landowner cannot landscape property in a way that will affect the neighbouring land(s).
Q: Do I need a Road Disturbance and/or Crossing Agreement?
A: 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:
- Pipeline/utility road crossings
- New/replacement/removal of approaches
- Ditch clean outs
Q: Why do I need a ‘Rural Address’ sign for my property and how do I request one?
A: Rural properties can be difficult to locate without an easily understood addressing system. A legal land description can tell you that a residence is located somewhere on a quarter, but a rural address pinpoints the access to the property off of a township/range road, highway or secondary highway. Each mile of road is divided into 32 sections at 100-meter intervals with numbers increasing South to North and East to West. Even numbers are along the North and West sides of a road and odd numbers are along the South and East. Your rural address is NOT the same as your mailing address or your legal land description and the sign should be posted visibly for Emergency Services (i.e., Police, Fire and Ambulance). Contact our office for more information or to obtain a sign at the discretion of the County.
Submit a Customer Service Request
When submitting a Customer Service Request Form please ensure that all information and fields are completed and accurate.
Terms and Tips:
Road Concerns – Examples: Potholes, Washout, Debris on the Roads
Culverts – Examples: Damaged, Exposed, Plugged
Snowplow Service – Examples: Purchase; Snow-flag to grade driveway or Custom Grading
Grading – Examples: Frequency - when will I see the grader?
Report Road maintenance of Range Roads or Township Roads,
Report Drifts or Washed-out Range Roads or Township Roads
Incomplete or inaccurate information will lead to delays in servicing your request
If you have a transportation concern please fill out a Customer Service Request Form
