Road maintenance season is around the corner in the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District.
In Smithers, this has already started with pothole filling according to Communication and Engagement Officer Samantha LeBlanc.
“We have had some challenging spring conditions that hit early with those above average temperatures with freeze thaw cycles hitting the roads hard,” she said.
Road sweeping has not started this year due to overnight temperatures continuing to drop below zero.
“We do have to watch that we can’t spray water on the roads, or we run the risk of turning it into an ice rink and if we sweep without water, it can make the air quality worse,” said LeBlanc.
The town’s budget for road maintenance this year is $2 million, half from its normal maintenance budget and half from the Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) funding.
Funding for the Princess Street Upgrade project will also come from the RBA but is separate from the road maintenance budget.
LeBlanc said parking off-street allows crews to sweep up to the curb and not leave excess grit on the roads.
She added with potholes, “The best thing you can do is avoid and the second-best thing you can do is to give [the town] a call to report it.”
Potholes can also be reported on the town’s website.
Residents in Houston and Burns Lake also have information on how to report potholes on their websites.
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