Quote:
Originally Posted by ken0042
I'm going to have to disagree with you about the whole "nothing we can do." Calgary's snow removal is getting shown up by cities like Edmonton and even Winnipeg. Why? Forget the dollar amounts- those should more than anything reflect how little snow we get compared to those cities.
The bottom line is I have spent a number of years driving in Winnipeg, and with temperatures like we have seen recently (-20 highs, -30 lows) the main roads like Portage ave get cleared. No, it isn't summer driving conditions. But there also aren't ruts days after snow falls; or even 12 hours later for that matter.
The plows and graders go through, followed by sand. They get most of the snow and ice, and the remainder is wiped away by the friction of the tires. The same force that gives us our ruts is what will get rid of that ice.
Calgary's snow removal plan calls for waiting for Chinooks. Guess what- there isn't one coming and there hasn't been one for weeks. If a jobsite followed the same safety standards that the city has followed for motorists they would be shut down.
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Well it's too late now, it's past the point of no return. I think it's going to keep happening in Calgary unless major changes take places, such as adding millions to the snow budget, but that isn't realistic. In order to keep these ruts off the roads, the plows need to hit the show within a couple of days. And then the graders need to hit the other roads at some point as well.
I work for roadways here in Edmonton, and I am not criticizing Calgary, because there is simply nothing that can be done right now. One glaring thing I did notice though, is that off of major roads, but where buses still travel, is complete ice rinks. It is almost as if the city of Calgary doesn't even make an attempt to sand bus routes.
I haven't spent a lot of time in Calgary, but does this happen every year, or is this a complete change of pace?