Strathcona County increases efforts to clear roads of ice and snow
Strathcona County will bring in additional resources to complete all required snow removal priorities in parallel, following concerns over icy road conditions.
As of Friday evening, County crews had plowed urban and rural priority 1 and 2 roadways, and started on rural priority 3s. A thick layer of ice beneath the snow; however, continues to present challenges – both for drivers and snow clearing crews.
David Churchill, manager of Public Works, Transportation and Agriculture Services Department, explains, “When the snow fell the asphalt still had some heat in it, causing the snow to stick and freeze. We are experiencing extreme difficulty removing the thick ice layer on our arterial and rural grid roads. We have all our sanding trucks working 24 hours a day to apply sand and salt to the roads in an effort to break up the ice pack and improve drivability.
"With the temperature set to rise towards the end of next week we will be in a much better situation to address the ice."
An additional six centimetres of snow Friday evening further delayed progress as it required the County to go back and plow urban and rural priority 1 and 2 roadways, while continuing to deal with the icing issues.
The threshold to clear urban priority 3 roadways has now been met, and the County will proceed with removal. The work will commence Tuesday morning, so as to give the time needed to place no parking signs and give the appropriate notice to residents prior to the tag and tow process.
"Your patience and understanding during these intense winter snow conditions will be greatly appreciated. Please drive safely with due care and attention," says Mayor Linda Osinchuk.
Further updates
- Transportation and Agriculture Services - Winter Maintenance
- Current snow maintenance vehicle locations
-30-
Last updated: Saturday, November 10, 2012
Page ID: 10142