The District of Hope has prioritized crews to work on potholes and drains after warmer temperatures returned to town last week.
District chief administrative officer John Fortoloczky said they will look to fill potholes first, until conditions allow them to fully patch the potholes.
“We will put in temporary patching where we feel the potholes create a safety problem or are extraordinary,” said Fortoloczky, asking for patience from residents while they deal with the effects of the recent “extraordinary” weather.
Fortoloczky said the District has received comments about poor road conditions on Sixth Avenue, near the Hope and District Recreation Centre. The District is also keeping an eye out for roads that have suffered from the recent weather.
“Much like lower down the valley, with all the frost heave that has gone on and the amount of snow and the amount of rain and runoff, the problems have been exacerbated,” said Fortoloczky.
“I think there’s no doubt, again with the freezing, unfreezing, all the snow, all the moisture that’s sitting around — this has been an extraordinary last couple of weeks.”
Asked whether the District has prepared the budget for such weather, Fortoloczky said they are into budget preparations for next year and operations will include figures to address the potholes. They currently do not know how much that would cost.
The District are also sending out tractors, loaders and crews throughout Hope to remove snow piles blocking drainage. They are also asking residents to clear drains that can be cleared by shovels.
Fortoloczky said residents can report potholes by calling the District’s office or visiting them, where staff can get details and prioritize them.
Municipalities cannot be held liable for damage resulting from poor road conditions as outlined in the Local Government Act.
At Monday’s council meeting, councillors Dusty Smith, Gerry Dyble and Mayor Wilfried Vicktor lauded public works.
“I know there’s a lot of [animosity/adversity] that people don’t always think it goes smoothly, but I think that public works did a great job this year for the first snowfall for how large it was, and everything else that went along with that,” said Smith.
Dyble echoed Smith’s comments, saying that she appreciates their work, considering they worked over the holidays.
“Yes, we have issues with potholes and whatnot, but to be expected given the amount of snow and ice and salt,” said Dyble.
Vicktor said he received many emails of “thumbs up” and very few complaints.
“The majority of people recognize that with the large snowfall, it does take a while to deal with problems,” said Vicktor.