Lacombe County expands road maintenance capacity with additional grader division

Lacombe County is strengthening its commitment to maintaining high-quality gravel roads with the addition of a ninth grader division, set to begin operations in early July.

In March 2026, Lacombe County Council approved the expansion following a comprehensive review of grader divisions and service levels. The County currently maintains over 1,600 kms (1,000 miles) of gravel roads, which have historically been serviced by eight grader divisions.

With continued growth, shifting traffic patterns, and increased demand for service, Council recognized the need to enhance maintenance capacity to better serve residents.

“This investment reflects Council’s commitment to maintaining safe, reliable road infrastructure for County residents, businesses, and agricultural producers,” said Lacombe County Reeve John Ireland. “By reducing the size of each grader division, we can improve response times and deliver more consistent service across the County.”

The addition of a ninth grader division will reduce the average distance covered by each grader from 210 kms (131 miles) to 187 kms (116 miles), allowing operators to cycle through their routes more efficiently and respond more quickly to changing road conditions.

“Our operations team is focused on providing dependable service across Lacombe County’s road network,” said Bill Cade, Director of Operations. “Adding a ninth grader division gives our operators more capacity to maintain roads efficiently, address changing conditions, and support the people who rely on these routes every day.”

The new grader division will support:

• More timely grading cycles
• Improved overall road conditions
• Increased responsiveness to weather and traffic impacts
• Enhanced service levels for rural residents and road users

Lacombe County’s gravel road network plays a vital role in connecting communities, supporting agriculture and industry, and enabling safe daily travel. The addition of this grader helps ensure the County keeps pace with growth and evolving transportation needs.