Icy sidewalks to be cleared by Tuesday, crews say

Roads and sidewalks in Nova Scotia were an icy mess Monday after Sunday's snow storm and rain, but crews hope to have them clear by Tuesday — ahead of a second winter storm. 

Highway 102 was a "sheet of ice" near the Bayers Lake Business Park, Halifax Regional Police warned Monday afternoon.

There was at least one crash, police said. They urged drivers to use caution.

Sidewalks packed with ice

Residents of downtown Halifax faced slippery sidewalks Monday. The city began clearing sidewalks on the peninsula this winter, meaning citizens don't have to shovel. The city uses small vehicles that cleared the snow, but left compacted ice covering many walkways. 

Bethany Hindmarsh said it was dangerous. "Oh, they're pretty icy. I've fallen down a couple of times," she said. 

The CBC's Yvonne Colbert saw how bad the roads were first hand when she was filing her report on the poor conditions. A passing car spun out of control behind her as she delivered her report. 

Winter crews were out in force Monday and the city is using lots of salt. Darrin Natolino of Halifax Regional Municipality said that wasn't possible Sunday night. 

"When we get that shift to rain, we have to be really careful not to put salt down, just to have it rinse down the gutter. That's where we monitor forecasts and weather conditions and get out there and do the best we can," he said. 

"Ultimately, what we're waiting for is nice sunny days like this that will help get that surface temperature up, which will activate that salt and helps break that bond between the ice and the concrete or asphalt."

Hugh Burns of the provincial department of transportation agreed. "We had a frost and then a freeze and that creates ice packs on the road," he said. "There's nothing that takes them off except time."

Second storm coming

Halifax crews have been concentrating on clearing sidewalks along main arteries and on streets that have schools or bus routes. Quieter residential streets have had a quick plowing, but the hope is to be able to clean them properly by Tuesday.

Another storm is forecast to hit the province overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.