EDMONTON – If you’ve been out for a walk or run around Edmonton lately, you’ve likely noticed that many of the sidewalks are somewhat of an obstacle course right now.
Jason Barthel was also trying to navigate the slippery sidewalks with his dog on Tuesday. He’s only been in Edmonton a couple of years, but says the sidewalks are the slickest he’s seen.
His own sidewalk has been cleared down to the bare pavement, something which – according to city bylaws – is required 48 hours after a snowfall.
It’s a target some say the city itself isn’t meeting.
“If anything it’s the city sidewalks that are the worst,” said Colleen Maykut, who’s part of an outdoor run club. “Because most of the time we find the neighbourhood sidewalks where people who own that part of the sidewalk – they’re usually cleared; it’s the ones by parks and stuff that it’s not cleared.”
Maykut and her running buddies aren’t letting the icy sidewalks slow them down, though. The ladies are equipped with ice cleats and call out to one another to watch out for slippery spots.
- Budget 2024 failed to spark ‘political reboot’ for Liberals, polling suggests
- Train goes up in flames while rolling through London, Ont. Here’s what we know
- Peel police chief met Sri Lankan officer a court says ‘participated’ in torture
- Wrong remains sent to ‘exhausted’ Canadian family after death on Cuba vacation
READ MORE: Tips for avoiding injuries when running during winter
Mayor Don Iveson says he’s aware of the concern over city sidewalks, and why they haven’t been cleared in a timely fashion.
“It’s a very fair question to raise. Why does the city not hold itself to the same standard it holds its citizens and businesses to? And I’d like us to just perform to that same standard.”
The mayor has asked for a report on how the city can do a better job of meeting the 48-hour standard, and what barriers are preventing that from happening right now. The report is expected to come back to council in March.
As for residents who are having a tough time meeting the target, Iveson says that enforcement officers will be a little more lenient given Edmonton’s latest freeze-thaw cycle.
“Bare pavement is pretty hard to get to in the kind of winter we had here,” he admitted.
“So as long as the snow is removed from it and sanded, and people are making best efforts to ensure it’s safe and passable, then generally, that’s good enough.”
With files from Quinn Ohler, Global News
Comments