No matter what the winter weather it’s still a battle for South Okanagan road maintenance crews

PENTICTON – This year’s colder, drier winter weather in the South Okanagan has been both good and bad for the crews working to keep the roads and highways clear.

“It’s always a challenge. Every year there is a different set of conditions to deal with,” Argo Road Maintenance operations manager Al Fraser says.

“This year has been a lot colder than the last two without a lot of snow, but the colder conditions mean you can’t use salt. The guys deal with weather conditions the best they can,” he says.

Fraser says fewer storms this year has allowed maintenance crews to keep up and stay ahead, especially on neighbourhood streets the company is contracted to keep clean.

“The challenge this year is even without much snow we still have to apply traction materials,” he says.

Fraser says Argo’s South Okanagan division has a number of full time plow drivers who are complemented by standby drivers, some are looking for a steady shift and others have jobs and come in as needed.

“Our core of drivers are always on the ready,” he says.

Fraser expects his crews will be dealing with different conditions next week with more precipitation and warmer temperatures in the forecast.

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