For many Estevan residents, it might be difficult to think about winter right now, since the city has enjoyed clear skies and temperatures well above normal so far in November.
But for Norm Mack, the manager of roads and drainage at the City of Estevan’s public works division, he has been planning for how the city will handle snow removal this winter.
Estevan city council approved this year’s snow removal plan during their meeting on Nov. 7. The document discusses the procedures for removing the snow, and classifies the different roads in the city as Priority 1, 2 or 3.
In his report to council, Mack said adequate snow removal for the streets and designated sidewalks and pathways is critical to ensure vehicle and pedestrian traffic can continue to navigate the city.
“Snow removal can be very expensive and an adequate and cost-effective level of service must be established,” said Mack.
Priority 1 roads are the main arterial streets, such as Fourth Street, King Street, Perkins Street, Devonian Street, Kensington Avenue, 13th Avenue, most of Souris Avenue, and Sixth Street from 14th Avenue to Souris Avenue South.
Several other routes receive Priority 1 status, including three roads used to access St. Joseph’s Hospital: Sister Roddy Road from Highway 39 to Wellock Road; Nicholson Road from Sister Roddy Road to Newcombe Drive; and Newcombe Drive from King Street to Nicholson Road.
Also listed as Priority 1 are the roads in front of Affinity Place, Wellock Road in front of the Estevan Regional Nursing Home, and 11th Avenue in front of the police station, fire hall and city hall.
Priority 2 roads include access roads for local schools, higher-traffic residential roads such as Wellock Road, Nicholson Road and Fourth Avenue South, the downtown blocks of Fifth Street, and Souris Avenue North from King Street to Seventh Street.
Remaining roads, the majority of which are in residential areas, are listed as Priority 3.
Mack said they don’t have any changes for the snow clearing map this year, other than the city has annexed the land for the mobile home park in southwest Estevan, so they have extended their snow clearing efforts to include that road.
“I want to be aggressive with snow removal,” said Mack. “That’s what the citizens really want is a good snow removal plan. If it snows, we’ll be the first ones out there.”
The snow removal plan also includes sidewalks and pathways. The downtown area is classified as Priority 1, as is Souris Avenue South to an area south of Perkins Street, and Souris Avenue North from King Street to Seventh Street.
“We have a power broom,” said Mack. “You’ll see the skidsteers out there with big brooms. Rather than just a bucket, we power broom it. It sweeps everything, and it keeps the sidewalks and pathways nice and dry.”
The city will also clear the snow for Priority 2 and 3 sidewalks and pathways. Residents will be responsible for clearing snow from non-priority sidewalks.
It’s important to keep the sidewalks clean, he said, because a lot of people continue to walk in the winter.
The city spent about $50,000 on snow and ice removal efforts in the first three months of this year. That figure includes sanding and salting the streets to remove ice, and $420 on contractors.
“Every week that ticks by with no snow, it’s a big savings to us,” said Mack.
There is about $250,000 for snow and ice removal, including contractors, in the 2016 budget. Mack stressed a major snow event of at least 25 centimetres can cost about $100,000, as they have to clear snow from all the roads.
The city purchased a snow blower last year, leaving them with two relatively new blowers in their equipment fleet. Mack vowed the other equipment is ready for winter, too.
“The mechanics have been working on it, and have been told, just about every day for a month, to make sure it’s ready to go,” said Mack. “Breakdowns happen, and if we can’t handle the snow, we always have some good contractors … that will help us out with something.” In the meantime, the warm weather has permitted street sweepers to clean the streets and avenues around Estevan. Mack predicts that will continue as long as the weather permits.
