No business like snow business
SNOW REMOVAL IS A 27/7 JOB
With more snow in the forecast — and likely more after that — City crews have been putting in long hours trying to keep Lethbridge streets open.
But if they’re getting behind, they can call for help.
Local truckers and contractors are on the job, too, points out Transportation operations manager Lee Perkins.
Front-end loaders, graders and tandem trucks are part of the snow-removal team as well, called in when required.
Currently 11 companies are involved, he says, helping move windrows of snow to the City’s westside and southside snow dumps. Bulldozers and excavators are also needed at those “storage facilities,” Perkins says.
But the City also calls on local companies to supply anything from a lawn mowers to truckmounted cranes throughout the year.
“Each year the city releases a tender,” he explains.
“All companies that are properly insured, have a Certificate of Recognition and pay a City of Lethbridge business licence, are eligible to bid.”
That certificate, he explains, is a provincial safety requirement.
Like City crews, Perkins says, the contractors may be asked to keep their equipment working 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The cost? Perkins says this year’s budget for ice control on city streets is $1.8 million, plus a similar amount for snow removal.
And once winter ends? That’s when crews get to work sweeping up all the sand and gravel, dirt and grime that’s accumulated through the cold months.
“Our goal is to get it before it enters the storm systems,” Perkins says.
Sand and litter washed into the drains before that, he explains, end up in the river — untreated. Anything that gets into the sanitary sewer system, of course, heads to the wastewater treatment plant.
“That’s why the spring street sweeping program is so important,” he says.
And why the City posts information — and temporary signs — letting residents know when the sweepers are due.
“Having cars removed from the parking lanes makes the removal of all detritus material so much more efficient,” Perkins says.
When vehicles aren’t moved on time, residents may see the winter’s grime remain for another year.
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