City officials want to let drivers know if their route to work is clear before they find themselves tires-deep in snow on an unplowed street.

The transportation department has launched an interactive online map that shows which major roads have been cleared of snow.

Roadway maintenance director Eduardo Sosa said once the snow starts to build up, the map will be updated three times per day.

"Our priority here is to get our residents where they need to go safely," Sosa said.

He said the map will be updated before morning and afternoon rush-hour periods, and once overnight.

Image | Snow plow map

Caption: The city launched a map that shows which major routes have been plowed. City staff plan to update the map three times per day all winter. (City of Edmonton)

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The idea will be treated as a pilot project for now, but Sosa said if it's successful it will be made permanent. He said the department is looking for new ways to communicate with residents about snow clearing.

"I think it's more catching up with technology," he said.

He encouraged people to also check the city's social media sites for real-time updates on snow clearing.

Sosa said the city's 133 plows and sanders are ready to respond as soon as three centimetres of snow accumulates on the ground, with improved snow clearing on neighbourhood residential streets.

Starting this winter, if a neighbourhood isn't completely plowed on its designated day, plows will return on the weekend to finish the job.

Last year, residents at times had to wait a full week if there was snow left on the road.