Mainroad East Kootenay has issued a response to social media criticisms about its winter operations in the region.

“In response to some recent information reported by local media concerning our winter operation activities, Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting would like to clarify the following;
the safety of the travelling public is Mainroad’s highest priority. We take all concerns raised by the public very seriously and investigate complaints,” the company stated in a Jan. 4 press release.

With regular and the occasional heavy snow fall over the past couple of weeks, the company has again come under fire for not doing enough to keep the highways safely passable, with the Facebook page Taking Back East Kootenay Highways leading the way.

“Mainroad’s service levels have not changed. We have the same amount of resources and material available today as we have had since the beginning of this contract. All of our equipment has been deployed and is working as per the contract obligations. Throughout the province challenging weather will not always permit us to have bare and black conditions nor is that a requirement of our contract although we strive to return the highways to bare and black conditions as quickly as possible,” Mainroad stated.

“Our maintenance crews are dedicated employees who have worked tirelessly to maintain the highways during these winter conditions and to the standards set by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Mainroad crews will be working to clear the highway surfaces as quickly as possible,” it concluded.

Meanwhile, winter driving conditions continue to impact the region.

Mainroad pointed out that two to four centimetres of snow has fallen in most areas over the last 12 hours and plowing and sanding is in progress.

Temperatures are in the -10C to -14C range at this time. Expect slippery sections throughout and watch for plow/sand trucks, Mainroad noted, adding, main routes are the focus right now.

“Flurries are expected for the next 36 hours and temperatures are forecasted to rise slowly but remain below freezing. This may provide an opportunity to salt the main highways tomorrow if temperatures rise enough. In that event, expect slushy conditions while the salt works and once the salt has melted the compact the slush will be plowed off. This will mean slippery sections with lots of slushy spray creating visibility issues. Please leave extra time and be sure your windshield washer reservoir is full,” Mainroad reported this morning (Jan. 4).

e-KNOW

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