Warning for ice removal

[Save Us Sutter]

Ok, this is my first winter here in Calgary and I've got to say I was pretty shocked to learn that roads don't get plowed here. In Halifax every single road is plowed every single time it snows. Obviously there are a lot less roads, but there are also a lot more snow falls.

Originally Posted by Nancy

I've lived in a few cities now, and I think many of us would agree that Calgary is not doing a reaonable job, here.

Me too, and I definitely agree. I can step from my (clear) sidewalk, out onto the road and not step down at all. The ice is as tall as the curb.

Originally Posted by Titan

We have not had a winter like this in a long time. The alternative is to have tons of equipment and labour sitting around every year that is not like this one. Is that prudent? Probably not but in years like this most people would say it is worth it.

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.

Before I moved up here all I heard about was how bad the winters are. I'll take this winter over ANY I experienced in NS over the years. Mild, hardly any precipitation and when it does snow, it's so dry the snow weighs NOTHING.

Originally Posted by Titan

And as said above, unless you actually remove it like they do in Montreal it makes getting out of your driveway impossible.

Impossible? Really? It takes an extra 10ish minutes to shovel away the snow they leave at the top of your driveway. Actually, considering how light the snow is here, it would be even less. I'll admit, it can be annoying to finish shoveling your driveway, go inside and then watch the plow go by 10 minutes later making more work. But really, that's a small price to pay to not have to drive on these CRAP roads every single time you want to go somewhere.

I don't want to sound rude, but this city sure seems to have a lot of trouble dealing with a minimal about of trouble. Plow the friggin' roads already.

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

[pepper24]

I recall watching the news that our snow removal budget was cut last year as people complained about high taxes to their aldermen. The city is sticking with main roads in the city and avoiding residential areas to fit within budget.

We asked for this and getting what we deserved.

[mykalberta]

Just as a point of reference for whatever its worth.

I have lived in Calgary for 5 winters, this is by far the worst for ice on streets/sidewalks that I can remember. I walk to work both ways.

Because of the mini heat wave, all the sidewalks are cleared of snow, but the alley entrance in between the sidewalks are murder.

[Save Us Sutter]

^^^ Why is it so bad this year though? Is this the first year they aren't plowing? I don't think anyone can honestly say it's because of all the snow we've gotten? There hasn't been any significant snow fall in a month I would guess.

[mykalberta]

I didnt pay attention last year, but back in early January when the city was complaining about snow removal of sidewalks, the sidewalks I use in Crescent heights that were cleared, there was at miminim a 2 inch lower than the snow on the street.

I have lived in Canada (Alberta) a long time and cant honestly remember when the snow on the street was above a bare sidwalk.

Also, nothing to back this up but I also remember an actul heat wave in calgary last year or the year before where I could have walked to work in shorts just before or after Christmas. That hasnt happened this year.

I know because I joked with my friends in Edmonton that Calgarys snow removal budget consists of one grader and everyone at city hall with the fingers crossed hoping for a few Chinooks.

[CGYTransplant]

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.

[Buff]

Lethbridge was having problems a few weeks ago. There was too much snow, they only cleared a few of the major roads and people were getting stuck. Not just your average joe commuter, but also taxis and city buses and garbage trucks. There was news of a neighbourhood renting a bobcat and clearing off their road. Complaints were rampant, and every day in the news the state of the roads was discussed. Heck, it was even reported that they were clearing alley ways for garbage trucks but they weren't doing an adequate job of clearing other crucial city streets. Finally the city decided to ramp up their efforts by increasing the hours they would work, and by hiring contractors. They did nearly every road in the city, even my cul-de-sac which is off of a side road, that is also off of a side road.

[Save Us Sutter]

Originally Posted by CGYTransplant

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 wouldn't really say all month. I drove out to the airport to pick up a friend from back home on the 10th or 11th and there was no snow on the roads then. I think it started a day or two after that and by Christmas it had pretty much stopped.

From Dec 1-20 we had 31cms (Source) and there was at most 5-10 for the rest of the month. So hardly "more than we usually get all winter". It's more than usual (17.4cm/month) but not something that should still be causing trouble 6 weeks later.

I think the biggest problem is, as you said, the city was hoping for a Chinook that just didn't come.

Originally Posted by CGYTransplant

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!

This actually made me laugh out loud. Isn't their job to react to changes in the weather??

"Hey Jim, it's snowing out, should we start plowing"
"Nah, wouldn't be prudent to react to the weather like that. Schedule says we plow on Thursday, rain or shine"

Oh, and the grass in my backyard is partly cause of the tree we have and the constant sun we get back there. But I guess my point was just there is less snow/ice in my back yard then there is on the street in front of my house.