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City crews hurrying to catch up with snow

City crews continue to clear the snow from one of the largest and earliest dumps in Red Deer in recent years.

City crews continue to clear the snow from one of the largest and earliest dumps in Red Deer in recent years.

While there are no plans to send city plows into the residential areas yet, city staff are keeping a close eye on the situation.

Public Works Department manager Greg Sikora said while there has been somewhat of an outcry for residential plowing, they are concerned it is too early in the season.

“We’re aware of the conditions that are out there,” said Sikora. “It’s not like we’re waking up and we’re new to this. We’re monitoring the accessibility.”

Sikora said if the city gets a little more snow, they may run into snow management issues and face restricted parking issues.

More snow has fallen so far this month than the city would typically see by the end of January.

Over the last 13 years, the average snowfall in November was 15.9 cm with the highest recorded snowfall of 32 cm in 2006. So far this month, Red Deer has received more than 60 cm.

Sikora said the city is in constant contact with Red Deer Emergency Services to ensure there are no problems getting into residential areas.

“It may be bumpy and a little uncomfortable but their access is not an issue as they have not advised me accordingly,” said Sikora.

He said because the last snowfall was over two days, it posed a challenge staying ahead of the snow. In these circumstances, the city has to rely heavily on the contractors to help crews.

To date, crews have plowed the hills, bridges and overpasses, and the arterial intersections twice under Priority 1 and Priority 2 in the city’s snow and ice policy.

Crews have also finished the majority of the snow windrow removal in Priority 1 and Priority 2 and the downtown clearing.

Crews completed the downtown clearing early Thursday morning. Under the policy, the city must remove snow within four days of it falling. Sikora said they mounted all the forces to get the job done in two days.

Crews are expected to shift to the collector roads, transit routes and residential areas next to schools on Monday.

Over the next few days, the crews will continue to finish up sensitive removal areas that are not identified under Priority 1 and Priority 2. That can include providing traction along sidewalks, some trails and transit stops.

The weather is expected to warm up over the next few days. Today was expected to reach a high of -8C and a low of -14C.

On Saturday, temperatures should reach a high of 0C with a low of -9 and on Sunday residents should expect a high of 1C and a low of -9C.

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com