With more than a week now past from this season's third major pre-winter storm, the town's hard-pressed public works crew is still hard at work clearing snow.
“I would characterize this as a rough start to the season for everyone but that is one of the factors we can't control,” said Craig Teal, director of planning and operations. “Central Alberta has received as much snow in November as we would have got in an average winter by the end of January. It's a fair accumulation when you look at what has hit us to date.”
Teal noted the first wintry blast from Mother Nature at the beginning of November left 15 to 20 centimetres of snow, the second deposited 20 centimetres, while the latest added another 20 centimetres, along with bone-chilling cold.
“Our crews are out there trying to catch up and keep up now that the snow has stopped,” said Teal, who was quick to add that more snow, albeit less than the three previous storms, was forecast for this past weekend.
Teal said the abnormal pre-winter storms have forced the town's public works crews (12 full-time staff) to work continuously and overtime, especially after the latest storm hit the town and region on Dec. 1.
“When we had big snow events on weekends, and just to make things passable, we had to clear some priority roads, so yes the staff has been accumulating overtime to get us to where the roads are today,” said Teal. “But as it tapers off it becomes part of their normal work routine. But right now the emphasis is to get as much done as you can, as fast as you can, to get the roads open for basic passability.”
“It is tougher to keep up with the 20-centimetre dump every weekend,” he added. “As of yesterday (Dec. 3) we have been adding additional equipment.”
Teal said work crews on the first go-round after a storm put the priority on travel lanes, particularly ones that link to an emergency service provider or an emergency facility like a hospital. He said cleanup of intersections is then handled on the second go-round.
Teal added cleanup of town lanes is still ongoing this week.
“If we can get a bit of breathing space it will be easier on the crews and everyone,” said Teal.
He said the early, unexpected snowstorms have not yet forced him to go to town council to have more budget money approved for the public works department. He added the town has plenty of sand and other necessary materials already stockpiled to handle the adverse pre-winter weather.
Teal is asking citizens to be patient as public works crews are working as quickly and efficiently as they can.
“Hang in there. We will get to you. I would encourage people to do what you can to help us out to go quicker,” said Teal. “If you got a spot to take your car off the street, please do. If you can put the snow on your property rather than in the streets that helps us out immensely. We will get to you.”
Meanwhile in Penhold it was a busy week for public works as crews worked to clear snow from the main roads in town.
“We have an aggressive snow removal program,” said CAO Ricky Binnendyk who noted most of the work is done in-house.
Last week crews worked on “wind drilling”, a process that blows snow into the middle of the road to open up surrounding areas. This was done in priority areas that include main roads such as Fleming Avenue, Waskasoo Avenue, Lucina Street and Robinson Avenue.
“We want to make sure our priority routes are open,” said Binnendyk explaining this includes the main roads leading to the school.
By Wednesday of last week, crews began to remove the piles.
“This will probably go on for about three weeks,” said Binnendyk.
For more information on the Town of Innisfail's snow removal policy visit the town's home page on its website at www.innisfail.ca
With files from Sylvia Cole
