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An extreme winter created more pothole repairs for Red Deer roads crews

Some money was saved with less need for snow plowing
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Potholes are in the process of being filled by the City of Red Deer crews. (Advocate file photo)

The freeze-thaw winter was easy on the City of Red Deer’s snow clearing budget but caused a proliferation of potholes that will require more spring road repairs.

The snow has barely melted on roadways, and work crews are already filling numerous potholes that have developed around the city.

Doug Halldorson, the city’s roads superintendent, said some 200 potholes were filled so far, with plenty more to do. “We are still working to stay on top of those…”

This winter’s extreme temperature swings were particularly evident one day in mid-January. Halldorson recalled it went from 15 degrees Celsius and summer-like rain in the afternoon, to -20 C that evening.

These kinds of fluctuations are very hard on pavement, creating small cracks that fill with water, expand with ice, and gradually destabilize the ground beneath the road, creating depressions and potholes that are jarring for motorists.

Halldorson said the repeated thawing and freezing this winter also caused a lot of treacherous ice build-up, with the city fielding many citizen complaints about slippery sidewalks and roads.

Over the past few months, city roads crews had been focused on spot plowing and sanding around Red Deer to provide more traction control at intersections and keep roads safe, he added.

As snowfall was much lighter than average, doing a thorough neighbourhood plowing wasn’t necessary, he added. And this has saved the city money in snow-clearing costs.

Hallodorson said only about a third of the $5 million that was set aside for ice and snow clearing from January through December 2022 has been spent so far. By this time of year, the budget is usually half gone.

“So far, we are ahead of the game,” he added.

Although snow in April is common enough in Red Deer, Halldorson said it tends to melt more quickly so plowing is only needed if a great amount fell.

Anyone with road complaints can call the city’s Report-a-Problem line 403- 342-8238.



lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com

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