County roads impassable due to flooding

“Over the weekend, when it never froze overnight, we ended up with lots of water flowing, so it was crossing the roads. Culverts, in places, were handling the water and in other places, they were flowing and still not being able to keep up with the flow, so that’s when it starts crossing the roads.”

He is asking drivers to be very careful where flooding is taking place, especially at night.

“A lot of time, it appears like the water’s right at the surface of the road, but it could be eroded, so there could be a cavern below that water, so extreme caution about crossing any roads that have water on top of them.”

VanValkingburgh says County crews are working to get water moving.

“The graders and the cats are trying to push the snowbanks back in the ditches, so the water has a place to be and the crews are out steaming if there’s a frozen culvert, steaming that so that the water can flow through the culvert. (We also have) backhoes out making sure there are no snowbanks in front of the culvert so they can work to their maximum efficiencies.”

The Public Works Emergency Line (780-532-7393) is available 24 hours a day for emergencies due to flooding roads, washed out or frozen culverts or significant road damage that impedes travel or has a significant risk to safety and property.

Any non-emergency calls can be directed to Public Works (780-532-9722) during regular business hours.

– with files from Curtis Galbraith

by Sheena Roszell

County roads impassable due to flooding

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