Extremely icy conditions on Monday morning led to a work truck and trailer getting stuck halfway up a hill on Fourth Avenue and Strathern Street.
RCMP blocked off the hill from traffic and passed the task on to the City of Port Alberni public works, who used a brine truck to de-ice the hill.
“We’re just dealing with road safety at this point,” said RCMP Cpl. Amelia Hayden. “Drivers should take extra caution, and make sure extra time is required when getting somewhere.”
“That hill is treacherous,” said city public works manager Wilf Taekema. “Those are incredible conditions out there, and the rain is making it worse.”
The city has been combating the icy conditions with brine trucks and salt, but it’s hard to keep up with the changing temperatures.
“We’re using brine and salt and sand and everything at our disposal,” said Taekema. “We’re in a bit of a routine right now.”
Warmer weather during the day, he explained, causes melting, which then freezes overnight and leads to ice in the morning. “Then we’re back to square one every day.
“We’re doing the best we can at this point,” said Taekema.
elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com
facebook.com/albernivalleynews
