While often in Alberta the weather is so fleeting it is difficult to pin down, however last week’s blast of snow made it clear that winter driving season is upon the valley.
With the winter comes potentially hazardous road conditions, and this has spurred concerns about the shape of the highways around Drumheller.
Earlier this year Carillion Canada assumed the role of maintenance contractor for the area provincial highways after winning the contract. Before this, Ledcor took care of the area highways.
According to Tony Chelick operations manager for Alberta Transportation, the company has hired a number of new staff members and this was their first winter test.
“The first few winter storms this year were quite severe and taxed Carillion’s local resources. Going forward they are well capable of performing necessary winter highway maintenance,” said Chelick.
He said through GPS they are able to monitor where and when plows are on the road. This information is reviewed, and the work must be up to par.
“Post winter storm reviews are conducted between Alberta Transportation and our maintenance contractors to discuss issues such as how and when the plow fleet was deployed and how sanding and plowing was conducted. All work performed must meet provincial standards,” he said.
Chelick adds that Carillion is a long standing company with a proven track record.
He also says during the winter safety also fall with the drivers.
“Drivers must keep in mind that winter in Alberta is very unpredictable. Provincially, the maintenance contractors do a very good job maintaining our highways in the winter overall, but driver judgment still comes into play to determine if travelling on a particular highway at any given time is safe for them to do so,” he said.
Specific concerns regarding highway maintenance in the Drumheller area may be directed to Carillion Canada Inc. at 1-800-390-2242 or Tony Chelick, Alberta Transportation operations manager in Hanna at 403-854-5550, toll free by first dialing 310-0000.
