While most residents are enjoying the lovely colours during this unseasonably warm fall, Rocky View County’s maintenance department is planning for the blowing snow and freezing temperatures of inevitable winter storms.
Snow fence installation will begin the third week of October across the county, with 25 per cent more fencing going up than in previous years, purchased at a cost of $45,000.
“The main reason for putting snow fencing up is to try to reduce the amount of (snow) drifting on county roads,” said Maintenance Manager Howard Bell. “It is a big job, we are putting up a lot more this year.”
The snow fencing will be installed between 25 and 35 metres from roads, typically on private property. Although the County doesn’t need permission from landowners to install the fence, administration has been busy sending letters out to affected landowners.
Staff has also been seeking information from residents as to where to install the fencing along the 2,400 kilometres of roads the County is responsible for maintaining.
“The residents who have lived there all their lives… know where the drifting is and we are trying to get some input,” said Bell.
During the installation, about 1,400 rolls of snowfencing will go up over a three to four week period. County staff will use a powered hand-held post pounder to make the job easier.
According to Bell, all the work will pay off this winter.
“If we can keep the drifting away from the roads… it obviously mitigates the number of roads that are drifted over in a severe storms,” said Bell. “The hope is we can hit all the roads that much faster.”
Last winter, several roads were completely clogged by snow four times. Clearing the roads can take crews up to half a day, time that could be spent plowing other areas of the county.
“This is one more tool in our arsenal against snow and ice removal,” said Bell.
