As the threat of winter weather increases, Delta is preparing for the worst.
The road salt has been stocked, equipment has been inspected and staff has been refreshed on snow and ice control measures.
Engineering director Steven Lan updated Delta council Monday night on the municipality's preparations for winter weather. Delta has a brine truck that can hold 7,000 litres of a salt-water solution. The truck will be available to pre-wet priority routes with the solution in anticipation of snow and/or icy conditions. The solution helps melt snow and prevent ice from forming.
Lan said the truck will also be dispatched to Ladner's downtown core, where trucks have run into issues plowing and salting in the past.
The municipality has set up a winter road conditions phone line (604-952-3820) that will provide information on road conditions, the current weather situation and Delta's level of response to the public. The message will be updated every four hours and the information will also be made available on the Corporation of Delta's website (www.delta.ca).
Lan said Delta has also created a designated phone line for emergency
responders. In the event of an emergency where the response is hampered by road conditions, police, fire and paramedics can call the line to request snow clearing in specific locations. Sanding trucks will divert from regular duties to assist in the event of such an emergency.
As well, a night shift salt truck driver will be back again, seven days a week, to help reduce the response times of snow and ice control. Those drivers will be available until next March.
The Snow Angels program will also be back, assisting seniors and those with physical disabilities who need help with driveway and sidewalk clearing. The Kennedy Seniors' Recreation Centre (604-594-2717) in North Delta and the McKee Seniors' Recreation Centre (604-946-1411) in Ladner coordinate a list of community volunteers. Delta staff will help with volunteer recruitment.
Residents and businesses are responsible for clearing the sidewalks abutting their property.
The annual snow and ice control budget is set at $320,500.
