Snow and Ice Control on Nova Scotia Roads

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Snow and Ice Control on Nova Scotia Roads

The following is the first of a series of feature stories from the Department of Transportation and Public Works.

It's 2 a.m., -15 C and the wind is blowing at 50 km/h. Nova Scotia is being pounded by another snowstorm.

Most people are inside their homes, warm and comfortable. Snowplow operators, however, aren't so lucky. This is the time when they're needed most. So plow operators working for the Department of Transportation and Public Works are on the roads, facing winter head on.

"There are lots of things to watch out for when you are driving a 17-tonne plow in a snowstorm," says Pat Watt, who has been in the business for 30 years. "Many people drive too fast and want to pass us, so sometimes there are close calls."

Mr. Watt is one of more than 1,000 employees across the province assigned to snow and ice control duties during the winter. He is responsible for clearing 60 kilometres of road near Sheet Harbour, between Spry Bay and Salmon River.

If he's not clearing roads, he's sometimes helping stranded motorists. Mr. Watt remembers one incident two winters ago.

"It was around 11 o'clock at night, freezing rain was coming down, and I was driving through a remote area," he says. "I saw a woman on the side of the road and she waved me down. Her car had gone off the road and landed underneath some trees. I called the shop and helped her get in touch with her husband."

Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, says plow operators are the backbone of the province's winter maintenance effort.

"Our plow operators work in some terrible weather conditions," he says. "I pass along my thanks to them for their hard work and dedication in helping to keep our roads safe. It's a challenging job."

The province is responsible for 26,000 kilometres of roads and highways, and spends between $36 million and $40 million a year on snow and ice removal. Four hundred plows -- including graders, trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles -- are used for winter maintenance.

Plow operators typically work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. When a storm ends, there is still continuous work to keep roads cleared and to maintain equipment.

"During the winter months, we're either out there clearing the roads or getting things geared up," says Mr. Watt. "Our trucks and equipment take quite a beating in the winter, so there's always something to fix."

The province's winter plowing efforts are detailed in a new publication. Called Snow and Ice Control on Nova Scotia Highways, the booklet contains practical information on safe winter driving, a checklist to get vehicles ready for winter, and ideas for staying safe when stranded in a storm.

The brochure is available at most Access Nova Scotia Centres or by calling local area offices of the Department of Transportation and Public Works.

The department also provides road condition reports three times a day, seven days a week in winter. The road reports are available by calling toll free 1-800-307-SNOW (7669), 902-424-3933 in Halifax or by visiting the department's Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/tran .