The early part of winter has seen Dauphin Public Works’ focus set squarely on snow removal.
Several citywide cleanups have already taken place and the work performed by the crews has been exemplary, said Public Works and Operations director Mike VanAlstyne.
“The way our crews operate and the efficiency and the ability to clean up time and time again after these major storm events is remarkable,” he said.
“Within 72 hours we’re pretty well back to normal. I don’t think many communities could say the same, especially communities of our size. Obviously, there is some lag at times, but based on our staff volume, it’s pretty remarkable how quickly we can get a cleanup done.”
This year, with the work on Main Street South completed, there is additional work to do, however, a new services agreement with the province provides compensation for the extra work.
“We have the significant additional length of roadway down in the south end with the creation of the service roads and everything,” VanAlstyne said, adding under the agreement the City will receive $81,713, about $30,000 more than last year.
It should be enough to cover costs, he said.
“Based on what we’ve figured out, we should be very close to covering costs. It’s entirely dependent on snowfall. We’re working with them quite co-operatively where they’re helping with a lot of the ice control, sanding and they’ll use their liquid ice control methods, too, when the temperatures are right and the conditions are right. So that’s helping.” VanAlstyne said.
“But we do have the ability to provide a better level of service than they can in the urban setting, so in the end, it’s the citizens and the users that are benefiting from us being responsible for the snow clearing.”
For those wondering when they will see the plows following a snowfall, the City has a plan of attack when it comes to cleanups.
Plowing operations are governed by accumulation amounts, with anything greater than eight centimetres triggering street clearing and plows hitting the back alleys after 20 centimetres of snow.
And there is a method to the madness, VanAlstyne added.
“We definitely base our clearing operations on priorities. That’s why you’ll see streets be done before most avenues. The intention is that the furthest you should ever have to go to get to a cleared roadway would be a half a block,” VanAlstyne said.
“Then, obviously, we’ll follow up with avenues as the last part of our street clearing before we go to back lanes.”
A complete citywide cleanup costs approximately $50,000, VanAlstyne added.
