Quote:
Originally Posted by Save Us Sutter
Really? I'm honestly asking. There hasn't been a winter like this in a long time? It snowed a lot for like a week before Christmas, and maybe 2 or 3 days since then. I'd say if the city had plowed the roads even twice during that week everything would be clear now with the help of the Chinooks. Is this really a bad winter? I mean, I can see green grass in my backyard... come on... it hasn't been bad at all.
EDIT: Comparisons to Edmonton (who does plow, I assume from this thread?)
Calgary 135.4 cms, Edmonton 129.6cms
So Calgary actually gets more snow than Edmonton, on average, yet doesn't have near the same service? I'm confused.
FTR, Halifax receives over 260cms a year yet our poor little city can clear every road, every time.
Source |
It snowed more in Calgary in December than we usually get all winter. So, yes, this is bad. The snow started at the beginning of the month and then didn't let up- and then we got a cold snap, so it stayed. I've been here for years, and this is how it usually goes:
1)Calgary gets a couple of inches of snow. Everyone freaks out, CP explodes with 'Learn to drive in winter' rage. Hilarity ensues.
2)Chinook blows in, melts all the snow. Rage subsides.
3)It gets cold, and stays cold, until it snows again. Cycle repeats.
The issues here are several-fold. Firstly, City council has essentially admitted that they use Chinooks as part of their road clearing crew. Honestly- you're depending on the WEATHER to ensure safe roads? Assinine.
Secondly, at one point, the roads WERE an emergency. Anyone without some serious winter driving skills and winter tires was at great risk of ending up in an accident or worse. However, the plows weren't on the roads until it had been snowing for hours. Living in Edmonton, we had plows on speed dial, and as soon as the snow started to accumulate, they hit the roads, and we didn't sand/salt until it was warm enough to actually have an effect. What did Calgary do? They spent the early hours of the second big storm (having done next to nothing after the first big storm) spreading "de-icer" on the roads, when it was -20...so not only is the de-icer completely ineffective because it's too cold, but now the liquid froze and made the roads worse. Why didn't they just get the plows out?
And finally, people feel like they're not being heard. The roads department spokesperson came out and said "It wouldn't be prudent for us to react to changes in the weather". Um, that's EXACTLY what's prudent, that's what your job is! If you phone 311, any complaints about snow removal are not being logged or responded to, the City has decided it's no longer an issue. And, council isn't even revisiting the issue until later in the year. There are streets where people cannot reliably park and get their vehicle out, and it's NOT an issue?
So, it's fantastic that you can see grass in your backyard. I can't, there's still a foot of snow, and it's south-facing. However, I'm more concerned about the fact that I can't safely drive down my alley or the street without sliding all over, getting stuck in ruts, or leaving half my undercarriage behind trying to get OUT of the ruts when another vehicle is coming. The fact that it's melting during the day, pooling because the drains are blocked, and then freezing again at night is only making things worse....and the snow we're supposed to get tomorrow is going to add another layer of excitement/rage/danger to the whole driving experience.
And, yes, Edmonton plows. Some of the bedroom communities actually make it their policy to clear the residential streets to the pavement.