HRM snow removal under scrutiny
Posted Jan 27, 2012 07:19:58 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Halifax drivers are hoping the city does a better job with today’s snowstorm than it did with the one a week ago.
Snow piled up rapidly on local roads and highways last Friday, causing dozens of accidents and traffic jams that lasted for hours. The problems persisted on Saturday, when drivers encountered roads coated with packed snow and ice.
Ken Reashor, HRM’s Director of Transportation and Public Works, tells the Rick Howe Show plowing went as well as it could have on Friday, and said pre-salting was carried out on P1 and P2 roads as well as hills and major conditions.
“The unfortunate thing is that the weather conditions themselves, the temperature of the pavement and the air temperature were at such a level that the salt was not able to work its magic,” “So we ended up getting snow packed from the traffic and packed it into ice that we couldn’t get off. So that created some unfortunate situation for drivers.”
Reashor says the temperature during the snowfall was too cold for the salt to be effective, but callers to the show said the explanation didn’t fly.
“I honestly think he should resign,” said David. “He had three storms, he goofed all three up. He has no idea what he’s doing.”
Caller Mark took issue with Reashor’s statement that the roads were pre-salted.
“That itself is a bald-faced lie,” he said. “I can guarantee you that at this time Friday — I should have done it last time — but this time I’m going to take pictures.”
Many drivers called in to say the road clearing has been notably worse this year.
“I’ve been travelling for years and years and years on these roads,” said Kathleen. “And I’ve never experienced roads like I have this year. Never.”
Friday’s forecast calls for snow starting around noon, changing to ice pellets and heavy rain overnight.
