By Glenn Hicks

Unexpected snow dumps more misery on motorists

Mar 26, 2018 | 2:00 PM

If you weren’t expecting the big snowfall Saturday night and Sunday, you weren’t the only one.

Prince Albert’s roadways manager Brent Kennedy said the amount of snow took city employees by surprise as well.

“We didn’t expect it Saturday night, that’s for sure,” Kennedy told paNOW, though he said crews were able to respond immediately.

“Our duty foreman came out and had people Sunday with graders and sanders,” he said.

While the big weekend dump was unexpected, it does not appear to be causing the sort of difficulties seen on Prince Albert roads following the big snowstorm three weeks ago. Priority 1 routes continue to be the main focus Monday, Kennedy said, along with the city’s hills. 

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“The wetness of this snow is packing down, so we don’t see it being a problem,” Kennedy said.

Although the snow is packing well, Kennedy said the above-zero temperatures in the forecast could create some further issues as the snow melts.

“Later on, with the runoff, we’re really going to have to watch things,” he said. “Over the years we’ve identified main areas around the city for drainage, so we’ll be focusing on those once it starts warming up.”

Meanwhile, Parkland Ambulance Paramedics dealt with plenty of snow-related issues over the weekend.

Pedestrian safety was a concern, Parkland Ambulance Spokesperson Lyle Karasiuk said. Paramedics responded to a dozen slip-and-fall incidents over the weekend and Karasiuk reminded everyone to “walk with care” on the icy streets.

Paramedics themselves are also feeling the challenges of this late winter dump, Karasiuk said. A stretcher weighs more than 100 pounds with a patient and equipment, he said, and moving around in deep snow makes their job challenging. He asked residents to keep walkways clear and pull over to the right when approached by an emergency vehicle.

As though the snow we have wasn’t creating enough issues, more is coming. The latest forecast called for light snow Monday night, and up to another four centimetres on Tuesday.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow