Record-breaking snowfall clutters roads, drains snow budget
Posted Feb 18, 2010 05:12:09 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s business as usual today after what turned out to be a record-breaking snowstorm.
Environment Canada reports 30.4 cm of snow fell at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, easily surpassing the former record snowfall of 24.4 cm for Feb. 17, set in 1974.
The storm took a bite out of the city’s snow removal budget and the cleanup’s still not done.
And although the streets are clear of snow, police are warning commuters to take care – the sides are lined with snowbanks taller than some people, meaning drivers won’t see pedestrians until they step into the road.
Sgt. Mike Spearns is particularly concerned about areas where the sidewalks are still snowed in.
“You’re going to find people walking in the street and because of the cold weather, they have hoodies up and they’re not really paying attention,” he said.
Wednesday’s plowing and salting efforts are estimated to have cost about $750,000 – and there’s only $1 million left in the snow budget.
But Mayor Peter Kelly says there is a $2 million reserve fund.
“We still have some capacity, hopefully we won’t have too many of these types of storm,” he said.
Mayor Kelly says at this time last year we’d spent $4 million more on snow cleanup.
