Renfrew’s team of snow plow operators are picking their spots as demand for road salt grows across the province.
Public Works supervisor Gerard Hanniman says their ongoing plan to conserve their current stockpile of road salt by prioritizing the town’s main roads is working out thanks in part to the ability to carefully dole out just the right amount to keep the town drivable as suppliers warn that orders might be tougher to fulfill ahead of spring.
Hanniman explains that it’s always a concern when a company like Windsor, who is the largest supplier of road salts in Ontario and Renfrew’s main provider, starts warning communities about potential shortages, especially as municipalities along the Great Lakes have required more shipments than usual as they been buffeted by heavier snow and colder temperatures than usual.
That’s why the town is making the most of what’s they’ve been able to get a hold of.
Secondary roads will not get as much attention the town’s plows turn to short-term solutions like sanding over slippery stretches of snow and sleet for traction.
Hanniman says residents can play a big role in ensure the town can clean up those secondary roads as quickly and completely as possible by minding things like not pushing snow into the street and avoiding curbside parking, something that can keep road conditions poor and delay plowing efforts by several hours.
Director of Public Works Andrea Bishop notes that the town has been in regular communication with suppliers and orders are still being fulfilled as of right now.
(written by Kasey Egan)
