Snow clearing shift changes could save Calgary up to $5M, says roads boss

Calgary could save up to $5 million this winter on snow-clearing costs with a new shift schedule for snow plow operators and other staff, according to the city's roads boss.

Troy McLeod says the change would see fewer staff on duty 24/7 and rely more on overtime if there happens to be a heavy snowfall.

"This season, we are implementing a new shift schedule to take advantage of lighter periods during the winter season," McLeod told the city's transportation committee Wednesday, in response to a question from Coun. Andre Chabot.

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Chabot wondered if the city could reduce the number of shifts for snow-clearing staff from four to three.

He said three, eight-hour shifts would cover 24 hours a day, five days a week, and suggested the remaining two days of the week could be covered off by private contractors.

"There wouldn't be enough fleet in the contract-service industry to provide (full coverage) so we need to cover it off with city forces," McLeod replied.

"But we are looking at an area where wouldn't have as much staff on and we would use overtime."

Pilot project

Last winter, the city had as many as 460 personnel working on rotating shifts, so that snow crews were available 24/7 throughout the season.

McLeod said the adjusted schedule this winter is a pilot project.

"We're implementing this new shift schedule and we'll let you know next season how this works out," he told the committee.

"But we could realize savings in the order of $2 million to $5 million, obviously depending on the type of winter we get."

Calgary spent $36.75 million on snow and ice control last winter, which was particularly mild.

The much harsher winter of 2013-14 brought with it a $51-million snow-clearing tab.