Getting a Traffic Control Quote in Alberta: What to Have Ready

A traffic control quote is only as accurate as the information behind it. When details are missing, the provider has to guess, and the gap shows up later as a revised price, an extra crew member or a permit nobody left time for. This guide lists what to have ready when you ask for traffic control in Alberta, why each detail changes the quote, and the questions to ask before you book.

The details that shape a quote

Location and road

Give the exact address or intersection, and the road authority if you know it. A residential street, a city arterial and a provincial highway fall under different manuals and permits, and they call for different setups. Posted speed and the number of lanes matter too. On provincial highways, for example, faster traffic calls for taller cones, and a lane closure on a multi-lane highway needs an arrow board.

What's being closed

Say whether you need a shoulder, one lane, several lanes, a sidewalk or bike lane, or the full road. Note anything the setup has to work around: driveways, a bus stop, a signalized intersection, a school zone. Sidewalk and bike lane closures need their own detours and accessible routes. See Pedestrians and Cyclists Around Alberta Work Zones.

Dates, hours and duration

Give the start date, expected duration and shift hours. Say whether work runs at night or on weekends, and whether the setup stays in place overnight. Overnight setups change the equipment and add inspections. On provincial highways, for example, signs left out overnight go on posts or stands at 1.5 m.

The services you need

Be clear about scope: a traffic plan, equipment only, certified traffic control persons, or all three. If you need flaggers, say how many stations you expect and whether shifts run back to back.

Permits and plans

Tell the provider what's already done and what you expect them to handle:

• Edmonton. Work in the road right-of-way often needs an OSCAM permit with a traffic accommodation plan. See How to Get an OSCAM Permit in Edmonton.
• Calgary. Exclusive use of City right-of-way needs a street use permit, and the City asks for applications 5, 10 or 15 business days ahead depending on the closure's impact.
• Provincial highways. Long-duration projects need a Traffic Accommodation Strategy. See What Is a Traffic Accommodation Strategy?
• Events. Closures for parades, runs and festivals have their own licences and lead times. See Event Road Closures in Edmonton.

If a permit is still pending, say so. The provider can plan around your expected approval date, and you'll find out early if the timeline is tight.

Who's in charge on site

Name the prime contractor and a site contact who can answer questions on the day. On an Alberta construction site with two or more employers, a prime contractor must be designated in writing to coordinate health and safety across the site. The traffic control crew needs to know who to call when the work changes. See Who Is Responsible for Traffic Control on an Alberta Job Site?

Questions to ask before you book

• Are your traffic control persons trained and certified for Alberta work?
• Does the price include delivery, setup, takedown and inspections?
• How are changes handled if the scope or schedule moves?
• Can you cover short-notice or after-hours work?

A checklist to send with your request

• Project address or intersection
• Road authority and posted speed
• Lanes, sidewalks or bike lanes affected
• Start date, duration and shift hours
• Night, weekend or overnight work
• Services needed: plan, equipment, traffic control persons
• Permit status and expected approval date
• Prime contractor and site contact

Request a quote from TrafficIQ

Send TrafficIQ the details above through our quote form and we'll get back to you within one business day. We provide traffic plans, certified traffic control persons and equipment rentals in Edmonton and across Alberta, including work outside standard business hours.

Last reviewed October 2026. This article is general information. Confirm requirements with the road authority for your site.
Sources: Government of Alberta, Traffic Accommodation in Work Zones 2025; Government of Alberta, Obligations of work site parties; City of Calgary, Street use permit; City of Edmonton, OSCAM Permit.