Department Prepares for Snow and Ice

It may be beach weather, but the province is gearing up ahead of time for snow and ice removal this winter.

Tenders have gone out to invite bids for plowing, salting and sanding services in Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Richmond, Annapolis and Antigonish counties. Tenders close on Sept. 6. Other tenders for similar work will be advertised in the coming weeks.

"We award tenders only when there are clear savings to the department," says Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "For taxpayers, it could mean savings in the order of $400,000 a year. We're very careful to match up tendering opportunities in areas where we are losing staff to attrition, so long-term departmental employees are not affected."

Ninety per cent of winter maintenance work is carried out by department staff, with the balance handled by qualified private firms. The quality of the tendered service must equal the work carried out by department staff. The province's occupational health and safety standards must also be met or exceeded.

Private contractors are also responsible for meeting the province's winter maintenance standards introduced last year. The standards ensure that plowing services are consistent across the province. The department policy is to clear high-volume roads first, as well as routes used by emergency vehicles and school buses.

"Our CUPE employees and private contractors are often called upon to work in extremely hazardous conditions so Nova Scotians can get to work or school as quickly as possible after a storm," said Mr. Russell. "They provide an extremely important service to help keep motorists as safe as possible. I want them to know that we appreciate what they do for us."

The 2002-03 budget for winter snow and ice removal is $40 million.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains an inventory of 3,800 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from four district offices located in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.