Spring is the time in our City when potholes can rear their irritating heads. They no doubt create driving challenges, and are generally an irritant and an eyesore. We want to share what we know about these vexatious potholes and how we address them.

What You Need to Know About Potholes

Potholes can occur in a number of ways at this time of year - all of them have to do with melt water during the spring thaw and cracks in the road surface.

Water seeps through cracks in the road surface and softens the sub-base under the pavement (this weakens the sub-base; it can no longer support the pavement above it or the traffic loads placed on it).

Thaw water seeps into cracks in the pavement or sub-base. Temperatures drop and water freezes. (This is the main cause of potholes in our climate). We refer to this a freeze/thaw cycles. These freeze/thaw cycles occur repeatedly during the spring season and, in the last few years, over the winter season as well. The freezing causes the sub-base to expand, which can cause localized pavement failure (a pothole).

Water in surface cracks, or in between concrete and bituminous (asphalt) overlays can freeze causing pieces of pavement to "pop" out.

Winter Potholes

Winter potholes present a particular issue for transportation crews as the fix can only be temporary during this season. More permanent repair materials are able to be used during the summer months. 

Potholes are an ongoing challenge, especially during the winter months when repairs are often temporary due to weather constraints. Our transportation crews use a variety of techniques and materials to ensure roads remain as safe and functional as possible year-round:

Pothole Repair Methods

1. Cold Mix Patch
   • Used for temporary repairs during cold weather conditions.
   • This asphalt product remains workable in low temperatures, allowing for immediate patching. However, it’s considered a short-term solution as it doesn’t achieve a strong bond between the pavement and patch. Water infiltration during winter months can lead to recurring pothole development.
2. Hot Recycled Asphalt
   • Applied during extended periods of warm weather for more durable repairs.
   • This method provides a higher-quality fix by ensuring a better bond between the patch and the existing pavement.
3. Infrared Heater
   • This specialized equipment heats the road surface, making it pliable for raking and repacking.
   • While this process takes more time, it delivers the most durable and long-lasting results for pothole repair.

By employing these techniques, we aim to balance the immediate needs of maintaining road safety during colder months with more permanent solutions in the warmer seasons.
 

Report Pesky Potholes

The best way to report potholes is through our online portal:

Online Services | City of Grande Prairie

Alternatively, you can contact AccessGP by dialing 311 or report via email at info@cityofgp.com and our team will work with you to create a call to action.

• Know the location; even the side of the road is helpful to know
• The size of the pothole is important. Potholes described to customer service representatives as very large, deep or threatening to traffic are sent for immediate attention.

Prioritizing Potholes

Did you know that potholes are prioritized based on the category of street? 

• Priority one (major arterial roads) are attended to first
• Priority two, bus routes/collector streets are addressed second
• Residential streets are placed next on the list

The City's annual street sweeping program removes sand, gravel and debris left behind after winter operations. This helps keep roads cleaner and supports the long-term maintenance of road and storm drainage infrastructure.

Street sweeping begins each spring once most of the snow is gone, temperatures moderate and road conditions allow. Operations are weather dependent and may be delayed by rain, wet road surfaces or temperatures below 0°C.

Where sweeping starts

Street sweeping begins on priority roads, similar to the City's snow clearing program. Crews focus on major roads and high-traffic areas first before moving into lower-priority roads and residential neighbourhoods.

Priority road sweeping can take up to a month depending on weather, road conditions and the amount of winter material left on the roads.

Once priority roads are complete, crews move into residential areas using the same Week A and Week B neighbourhood rotation as the Residential Snow Clearing Program.

Residential street sweeping

Residential neighbourhoods are planned for sweeping the day before regular waste collection during their designated Week A or Week B rotation.

While crews make every effort to follow the planned rotation, daily progress can vary based on weather, road conditions and the amount of debris in each neighbourhood. Any neighbourhoods not completed during their planned rotation will be revisited during subsequent passes.

Neighbourhoods are typically swept at least twice during the sweeping season, with additional passes completed as needed.

How you can help

Residents can help crews complete a more thorough sweep by moving vehicles off the street when sweepers are working in the area.

Please give sweepers and support equipment plenty of space to operate safely and follow any temporary traffic controls or signage.

How street sweeping works

The City operates four street sweepers. Crews also use tractor-mounted sweepers, hand-operated motorized sweepers, brooms, shovels, water trucks and specialized equipment to clean boulevards, medians and high-debris areas.

Boulevards and medians are cleaned as conditions allow. These areas are washed down with pressurized water from City water trucks once temperatures and water sources allow.

The City also uses a large conveyor-type machine, known as a Broce Broom, to collect larger amounts of debris that regular street sweepers are not designed to pick up. This equipment loads debris directly into a truck for disposal.

Sweeping material is collected and stockpiled at designated locations before being taken to the Aquatera Landfill, where it is repurposed as cover material.

Other areas swept

Street sweeping also includes:

• priority roads and major routes
• residential roads
• asphalt trails
• Muskoseepi Park trails
• grass medians
• boulevards
• areas that collect higher amounts of debris, such as Wapiti Road and roads near railway tracks

Asphalt trails are swept by Transportation crews. Muskoseepi Park trails are swept by Parks crews. Grass medians are swept by Transportation crews once they are dry enough for equipment.

Stay updated

Street sweeping is weather dependent and updates are provided throughout the season.

Residents are encouraged to follow the City's Service Updates and the City of Grande Prairie on Facebook for the latest street sweeping updates.

Questions or areas in need of sweeping can be reported to AccessGP by dialing 311, calling 780-538-0300 or emailing info@cityofgp.com.

Dust Suppression Applications are now open from April 13 to May 1, 2026

Gravel roads in our city cause issues with dust. Gravel dust can cause driving hazards, breathing issues and can be a general nuisance. To suppress this dust we use a Calcium Chloride Product sprayed over the gravel surface.

We provide two types of dust suppression services

Gravel roads in the city receive the Calcium Chloride treatment throughout the spring/summer season on an as needed basis.

Residents in our rural service areas can apply to receive dust control treatments to sections of road near their properties for a fee by filling out the Dust Suppression Application.

Scheduling of these treatments are subject to regular dust suppression program priorities and in combination with other requests to maintain cost effectiveness.

The City of Grande Prairie does not guarantee the effectiveness of the dust control agent. Once treatment is applied no refunds of the application fee will be made.

Road bans are a standard practice for the City, aimed at protecting gravel roads in the region. The City of Grande Prairie may issue road bans during construction, regular maintenance, or due to special seasonal circumstances such as spring melt or above average weather conditions.

Current Gravel Road Bans

Effective Thursday, May 14, 2026, the City of Grande Prairie is is lifting all seasonal weight restrictions on gravel roads within city limits.