EDMONTON – City crews have been battling the snow since Friday night, and just when they thought they were winning the bout, Mother Nature delivered another big punch.
Edmonton’s roadway maintenance director said Tuesday morning that crews were about 85 per cent done clearing the streets, when another 10 to 15 centimetres of snow blanketed the city overnight.
READ MORE: Second significant snowfall caused City to extend seasonal parking ban.
The goal is always to have all of Edmonton’s arterial roads, freeways, and bus routes cleared within 48 hours of a major snowfall – a task that comes with a price tag of just over $50 million.
Mayor Don Iveson says that cost would double if the response time were reduced to 12 hours. According to Mayor’s office, that could translate to a five per cent tax increase.
Iveson explains it would also be a gamble.
“For each additional dollar that you put into rapid response snow removal in a heavy snowfall event, you get great bang for your buck when it snows really heavily,” he said. “And the rest of the time, it’s just sitting there idle.”
He added that he’s satisfied with the 200 pieces of equipment that have been working city streets 24/7.
Edmonton resident, Pat Larkin who was busy clearing his and his neighbours walks Tuesday afternoon, is also content with the City’s progress.
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“It’s a tough chore when you’ve got thousands of miles of roads to clear. People complain, but I think they do a pretty good job,” Larkin said.
He admitted that he’d rather see the streets a little snowy longer than face a property tax hike.
Others feel safety should come first – even if it means a tax hike.
“Yeah, you’d be paying a little more, but there wouldn’t be as many accidents,” said Desiree Hallworth.
“Everyone knows we live in a really snowy city, so might as well just be safe, pay more taxes – it’ll help you in the long run,” added Jonathan Zorzetto-Vermeire.
The City is set to clear the windrows from streets downtown and along Whyte Avenue Tuesday evening. Residents will eventually be able to track when their neighbourhood is scheduled to be bladed on the City’s website.
As for homeowners still struggling with the seemingly endless job of clearing their walks, Larkin believes there are only two options.
“I always say if you live here there’s nothing you can do – accept it. It’s the way it is. And if you don’t like it, you have to move.”
With files from Laurel Gregory, Global News
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