Unseasonably high snowfall and a prolonged spring will wreak havoc with St. Albert's streets and sidewalks, say city maintenance officials.
"It's probably going to be the worst spring we've had from a sidewalk perspective," planning and engineering general manager Guy Boston told city council Monday night.
City crews are busy "popping gutters" around the city. Boston said. This involves using equipment such as a grader to break up the ice that's built up along the edge of the streets, preventing runoff from flowing along the edge and into storm drains.
With no place to go, water created during daytime thaws will work its way into cracks and crevices and create potholes when it freezes and expands at night, explained public works director Glenn Tompolski.
"It's an ongoing battle for us right now," he said.
Most drains along arterial roads are clear so city crews are now concentrating on residential areas, he said.
"We definitely encourage, if people see particular problems … to feel comfortable to call public works, put them on the list to make sure we get to those areas as quickly as possible," Tompolski said.
The number to report drainage issues is 780-459-1557.
The city has a pothole crew on duty 24 hours a day and can usually respond to requests within 24 hours, Tompolski said.
The city has been dealing with potholes since as early as January, when warm weather created work for crews. The most active pothole period will come in the next two or three weeks as melting ramps up, Tompolski said.
City streets are generally in pretty good shape because of an aggressive overlay program in the last three years, he said.
The increased activity in clearing ice won't have an impact on the city's finances because city workers would otherwise be busy on other tasks like street cleaning, Tompolski said.
Treacherous sidewalks
Large piles of snow bordering sidewalks are creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians. As the snow melts during warm daytime temperatures, water runs onto sidewalks creating pools that freeze overnight, leaving slippery surfaces for walkers.
Coun. Roger Lemieux brought up the issue at Monday's meeting to remind the public that homeowners are responsible for ensuring their sidewalks are safe.
"I've seen people fall," he said. "It's really hard for the kids delivering flyers and papers. It's dangerous."
It's not easy on homeowners but it's possible to do, he said.
"I know it's frustrating because one day it freezes, the next day it melts but there is good stuff you can buy for the sidewalks," he said. "Just keeping a heads up to make sure that young kids and seniors don't trip and fall badly."
