With two to four centimetres of snow expected in Red Deer Thursday, the city’s public works department is gearing up for the winter.
City’s public works operators started snow clearing on Thursday. Greg Sikora, city public works manager said crews will begin with arterial routes including Gaetz Avenue, 30 Avenue, 40 Avenue, Taylor Drive and 32 Street.
Sikora said public works crews have been on traction control since Wednesday.
Traction control measures include salting and sanding to prevent formation of ice.
Typically, snow clearing on green roads, which includes residential streets, start just before Christmas but the crews monitor the streets 24/7 and snow clearing will begin early if need be, said Sikora.
He said snow clearing in the city goes on 24 hours a day.
Sikora asks drivers to maintain distance when operators are out and about driving their equipment.
“Because there are blind spots on those vehicles,” he said.
He suggests that drivers to give themselves time to get to where they need.
“As the weather is changing, we have to learn to drive to road conditions all over again,” he said.
He encouraged residents to sign up for the Notify Red Deer program to know where crews are plowing and find out when they need to move their vehicles to avoid a ticket.
Notify Red Deer is a mass communication system that allows the city to alert residents via text, e-mail or a phone call — depending on residents’ preference.
To sign up for the program, visit reddeer.ca/notifyreddeer.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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