Regina city crews tackling icy roads, sidewalks

Sand and salt trucks are out in full force Wednesday as the City of Regina tackles ice-covered streets.

Over 24 hours between Tuesday and Wednesday morning Regina police had 17 reports of crashes including three with injuries. The police noted not all the collisions were necessarily related to the icy conditions.

The primary focus for city crews has been to provide ice control on arterial and collector roads and sidewalks that are the responsibility of the city.

As a result of freezing rain, City crews responded to icy conditions overnight and will continue to do so today. Our primary focus has been ice control on arterial and collector roads and sidewalks that are our responsibility. #YQR pic.twitter.com/JSQHYzkiUP

— City of Regina (@CityofRegina) January 10, 2018

Sander trucks will continuously monitor Category 1, 2, 3 and 4 roads, to apply sand and salt to the road network as needed.

Darren Sproat took a photo of the Tim Hortons parking lot in the east end of Regina after his car slid sideways on Jan 9, 2018. (submitted)

“The mix they’re using would have a little more salt in it than normal just because of the ice and they’re trying to get good coverage for the city,” said Norm Kyle, Director of Roadways and Transportation.

The city has been testing out liquid salt this year but Kyle added the freezing rain would have been a good condition to use it.

“Even if we were putting down liquid de-icers the fact that it was rain it would wash a lot of that off, unlike when you get a light snow down you can put the liquids down first and stop the snow from bonding,” Kyle explained.

Once the work on the main thoroughfares is complete, the city will turn its attention to the ice-covered residential streets.

The city is encouraging homeowners to keep sidewalks safe and is offering free sand to address the problem.

“The sand will keep the slipping down and also chipping the ice helps,” Kyle added.

Residents can bring containers to fill up from sandboxes found at the following locations:

• Northgate Mall – 7th Avenue North and Lorne Street
• Jack Hamilton Arena – 1010 McCarthy Boulevard
• Albert Scott Community Centre – 1264 Athol Street
• Cathedral Centre – 2900 13th Avenue
• Al Ritchie – 2230 Lindsay Street
• Murray Balfour Arena – 70 Massey Road
• Glencairn Centre – 2626 East Dewdney Avenue
• Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre – 3130 Woodhams Drive
• South Leisure Centre – 222 Sunset Drive

You can find more information about the category street system and view the map on the city website.

Slick sidewalks

Pedestrians ran into all kinds of issues Wednesday as they attempted to navigate all the icy sidewalks and streets.

In downtown Regina, people were doing a mix of the penguin shuffle, curling slide or a stiff robot.

“I almost wiped out walking to work, it is getting better with the sand out now,” one man told 980 CJME as he braved the cold.

I really had to get in touch with my inner penguin to get to and from work today. #yqr pic.twitter.com/PbAiG8yyjG

— Kathryn MacLennan (@KatMacLennan) January 10, 2018

Another pedestrian said she was sticking to walking on the roads because it was easier and less slick.

“My boots aren’t helping, slow and small steps are best, it is best just to avoid being on it,” she said.

The city does not mandate residents to clear their sidewalks but there is a policy in the downtown and a 24-hour time limit to get sidewalks clear.

Regina’s EMS has responded to more than 30 fall-related calls in a 12 hour period. While icy conditions persist, Regina EMS urges extra caution while sidewalks and streets are covered in ice. For more info and tips on how to stay safe, visit: https://t.co/VLSir7b3IW #yqr #safety pic.twitter.com/l6PUX11OG6

— Formerly RQHR (@rqhealth) January 10, 2018

—With files from 980 CJME’s Jessika Guse