Halifax seeks consultant to review snow clearing efforts

The Halifax Regional Municipality has issued a call for anindependent review of its snowclearing efforts in the wake of this year's harsh winter and record snowfalls

The city estimates it exceeded its $20.5million snowclearing budget by about $10 million.

"We're guessing it is about $10 million over," Jennifer Stairs, a spokeswoman for the Halifax Regional Municipality saidWednesday.

The last time a similar review was done was in 2008, Stairs said.

"It was a tough winter. This isa good opportunity to look at what's working and whatmaybe isn't in the program," she said.

She acknowledged there were a lot of complaints from residents about snow removal.

"The fact that we got calls isn't unusual. It was a lot higher this season for sure."

That review would "assist the municipality in a comprehensive evaluation of operatingpractices within the winter operations program," the tender says.Its goal isto remain "relevant in times of changing social, political andeconomic pressures, possible changing weather patterns and the growing demands ofmulti-modal transportation."

Stairs said Halifax regional council is looking to the review for feedback onalternatives to brine, salt and sand as well as considering other technologies to helpwith snow and ice management.

"We are looking at resources: budget, personnel, technology, alternatives for icemanagement, snow melting (and) best practices in other jurisdictions."

The city did consider snow melting technology, she said.

"We don't feel it is the best fit here in Nova Scotia. They do have high fuel costs."

According to the tender, the road operations division of the municipality'stransportation and public works department is responsible for clearing 976 kilometres ofsidewalks, 3,766 lane kilometres of road and 2,295 bus stops during the winter months.

The municipality's deadline for proposals is May 1.