(file photo/ CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

City ready for winter weather

Oct 16, 2020 | 12:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- With the city expected to get its first taste of winter this weekend, the City of Medicine Hat says they have their equipment ready for whatever mother nature brings.

“We started preparing our equipment and materials last week. We were doing that at a slower pace but with the forecast tonight that we might receive an intense winter event, we’ve picked up that pace over the past couple of days,” said Jeremy Petryshyn manager of operations for municipal works.

City vehicles typically used for hauling materials in the summer have been transformed and outfitted for winter duties.

“Right now we are ready with a full complement of equipment being graters, plows and sanders, and sidewalk machines in our chemical unit to go out and adjust to whatever the event brings tonight,” said Petryshyn.

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The city operates on a priority-based model for snow removal, with priority one being main roads such as Dunmore Road, Maple Avenue, and city hills.

After priority one roads are completed, roads that don’t see as much traffic soon follow. But residential streets, according to Petryshyn don’t typically receive plowing.

“They will get sanded as needed, but those will be the last thing we address, said Petryshyn.

With more municipal crews expected to be on the roads to clear the roadways come the winter months, Petyshyn urges drivers to be mindful of plowing the roads.

“The guys are out and they are watching for a lot of things, they are watching for the curb lines, they are watching for traffic, they are watching for pedestrians and they are operating a major piece of equipment that can be tough to see out of some time,” Petryshyn said.

Petryshyn also advises drivers to slow down and give enough time to get to your destination.

A snow squall watch is in effect for the city of Medicine Hat, Cypress County, and the County of Forty Mile.