Road Sanding Adjusted to Weather Forecast & Best Practices
Saskatoon is an active winter city and keeping people moving around is a top priority. To keep roads clear through all types of winter weather conditions, our roadway maintenance plan includes a variety of ice management and plowing strategies developed and fine-tuned over a number of years.
“While we continue to look for ways to improve and be more efficient with new products and equipment, the foundation of our winter maintenance strategies is the use of sand for traction and salt to soften the ice,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works.
“A constant during winter is change,” Hyde says “Snow, as well as any change to temperature, moisture levels, wind, amount of traffic, or any combination of these, can create new road conditions and this is what happened this past weekend.”
Saskatoon had its first stretch of extreme cold which contributed to icy conditions, followed by light, puffy snow on Monday night adding additional moisture. This, along with dropping temperatures from -14 C to -22 C during the Tuesday morning commute created ice crystals that settled on the roadways. Added to this was wind, which effectively polished and concealed the ice. Aware of the forecast for snow, crews were out with a combination sand and salt mixture blended with a magnesium chloride additive to reduce the formation of ice and enhance traction.
In preparation for warmer temperatures that may go above the freezing point forecast for Friday (Jan. 22), crews – as usual – will be out applying sand and de-icing materials. Tonight there will be 13 sanders applying sand and de-icing materials to high-traffic roadways, along with 4 graders that will be shaving down any packed snow or ice.
“Even with the use of sand and de-icing agents, roadway conditions similar to what drivers experienced earlier this week may be present Friday because of the change in temperature, moisture from melting, and peak driving times,” Hyde says.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and be cautious.
Additionally, the City takes extra precautionary measures for managing bridges and overpasses which are more susceptible to icy conditions. When icy conditions exist, all bridge decks are checked and sanded as required every two hours. Bridge decks are usually sanded just before rush hour because it’s very difficult to sand during peak times.
We will also be starting our Circle Drive Snow Removal Program this Sunday night, also known as the “Snow Train.” The goal is to complete this work in two nights, to remove snow from the walls of bridges, overpasses and guard rails.
Please watch for equipment on the road. The large, slower-moving, machines used are equipped with flashing amber lights, and can be found on the road at any time of day or night. Drivers should stay back a minimum of 15 metres (about 2.5 car lengths) from the equipment and approach slowly if passing is necessary.
When safe to do so, drivers can report icy locations to Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.
Snow What to Do this winter by visiting saskatoon.ca/snow. Find real time Snow & Ice and Traffic Detour alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts or follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.