City crews have been focusing on grating and sanding icy roads, lanes and sidewalks.
Doug Halldorson, the city’s roads superintendent, said last week’s above zero temperatures and rain caused slick conditions everywhere. Since the ground was frozen, the rain stuck rather than running off.
Crews use a mixture of salt and sand. The sand is pre-wet with brine so it will stick to ice. Crews have completed about 75 per cent of the work, he said.
“We have crews going 24-7 at the moment to take care of the ice,” Halldorson said.
“We have about 800 km of roads that we look after. To drive every street every day is impossible. We do rely on residents to call in to let us know there is a problem and we’ll address it.”
Residents can call the public works department at 403-342-8238.
He said so far the winter weather has been fairly routine.
“We typically have chinooks that come in and warm it up. Last year in January we had a plus 20 C day. So it’s kind of a normal winter.”
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Residents and business owners can access free sand from the city for ice control on sidewalks in front of their property. The sandbox is located beside the large white tent outside of the City Civic Yards at 7721 40 Ave., north of the main front entrance gate.
The sandbox was recently refilled to meet demand.
Halldorson said for the most part people keep their sidewalks clear, but when issues arise with a neighbour’s sidewalk, they can call Red Deer RCMP’s non-emergency line at 403-343-5575.
“They’re pretty treacherous if they’re not cleared.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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