The winter warriors of Wentworth Street

When they talk about salt at the city public works yard off Wentworth Street North, it’s not the kind you put on French Fries.

Nope, the stuff they like is big and chunky and gets spread from trucks onto the road.

And there’s a mountain of it — 3,500 tons — waiting in a big building they call the dome for the next big storm.

“It’s enough for three typical events,” says Bob Paul, the manager of roads and maintenance for the City of Hamilton.

So far snow and ice have been modest this season with the plows hitting the streets only once. But the winter warriors of Wentworth Street say they’re ready for flurries forecasted this weekend and predictions of a tough winter from January onward.

“Depending on who you are listening to, it looks like we’re heading into a very cold and snowy winter,” Paul said during a media tour of the city facility. “They’re also predicting fluctuations in the temperature. So we could see lots of freezing rain. It looks like it will be all over the map.”

It’s a battle that’s fought with millions of tax dollars, hundreds of workers and trucks, and lots of salt that sometimes gets mixed with sand or water. If the conditions are right they’ll even use a de-icer made with beet juice.

Here’s a look at the annual winter wonder of trying to keep snow and ice from Hamilton roads:

BARRY GRAY, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Operator Sam Dallicardillo navigates his truck through city streets. Media came to a behind-the-scenes look Friday at the winter roads programs.