Pothole repairs starting early for Regina crews

The lack of snow Regina has received this winter could really pay off for drivers come the spring.

The mild temperatures have allowed city maintenance crews to focus part of their attention on other duties, such as fixing potholes and repairing water main breaks, when they would normally be consistently busy clearing away snow and ice.

“We’re doing a little bit of the winter stuff. Obviously, not how we’re typically use to this time of season but kind of a combination of some of the winter stuff as well as some of the spring or summer stuff that we’re still having to do as a result of the no snow,” explained Chris Warren, the city’s manager of winter road maintenance.

In February, potholes would usually be covered or filled with snow but because of how little the city’s received, the indentations are mostly exposed.

The repairs consist of crews using a temporary patch, Warren described, since a permanent, hot asphalt mix isn’t available in the winter. Nevertheless, he believes that could pay off on roads when spring does eventually arrive.

“It’s definitely going to help when we get into the spring season, especially not having a whole bunch of water and stuff laying around, in the event that we continue to see the same conditions as we have.”

And with plenty of time to get more of a traditional winter in the Queen City, crews may not be able to totally discount winter just yet.