Prov. crews ready to tackle the season’s first snowfall

The Saskatchewan Highway’s Department is prepared for snowfall, whenever it happens.

Assistant Deputy Minister with Operations and Maintenance Division Tom Lees explains preparation starts early.

“It starts in July and August when we start getting an inventory of where our salt and our sand is,” he said. “Making sure that our equipment is repaired and ready to go on the road and safe to operate.”

Lees told 650 CKOM that Highway Hotline monitors road conditions through a combination of operators on the road reporting and cameras.

“We’re not new to this,” Lees says. “Anytime you get into September-October we could have snow at any point.”

With provincial crews ready whenever the flurries fly Lees suggests drivers prepare too.

“Understanding the road condition beforehand and then driving accordingly–slowing down when the roads are icy,” he said.