SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A "perfect storm" of weather conditions led to extremely snowy, slushy roads in Yellowknife over the past few days, which has led to aggravation and traffic problems.

A road grader is used to clear an alleyway off 52 Avenue near 55 Street yesterday. City officials say they are now getting to back alleys after clearing most roads over the past few days. - John McFadden/NNSL photo

Resident Nancy Vail, who filed an unsuccessful lawsuit against the city after she fell last winter on an icy sidewalk alongside Twin Pine Hill, said she has barely ventured out because of the slippery conditions. Vail said pedestrian safety is again being overlooked.

"I am mad," she said.

"None of this comes as a surprise - these changing conditions. I don't know why they haven't done anything with the sidewalks ... I don't

think people should be

having to go through this."

Dennis Kefalas, director of public works and engineering for the city of Yellowknife, said the snow, combined with a rapid melt on the weekend, led slushy conditions on the city's streets and snow removal crews have been doing their best to get to all parts of the city.

"Streets that would normally only get done once a year had do be done a second time," he said. "When we get towards the end of the season, like right now, we would normally concentrate on alleys and cul-de-sacs. So we had two competing priorities."

Kefalas said external contractors have been helping city crews with snow removal and he expects that will continue into next week. He said the city could not bring in the extra crews sooner because those crews had been working on winter-road maintenance outside the city, adding he is confident the city is not over budget on its snow removal and maintenance but said that he will better be able to assess that once the snow is completely gone.

Crews have also been filling in some of the larger pot holes on major routes in the city, said Kefalas.

Yellowknifer was there Saturday night when an ambulance was stuck in the snow in the alley beside the liquor store downtown and needed to be towed out.

The ambulance was in the alley for a patient call, according to Nalini Naidoo, spokesperson for the city.

Kefalas said he is confident the streets themselves have been cleared so emergency vehicles can navigate them and added crews have since been focusing on alleyways to make them passable.

The city issued an advisory Saturday as temperatures approached 8 C, soaring past the old high temperature record for April 1 in Yellowknife of 7.2 C, set in 1984.

The city asked residents and business owners to clear snow from roofs and awnings to avoid injury to pedestrians walking by. Officials also had advice for drivers.

"Take care not to splash pedestrians as you drive by," the release stated. "Avoid driving in areas where there has been no snow removal such as alleys or cul-de-sacs. City crews are working hard to clear all roads of snow in the next few days."

The city added that warmer temperatures by day and colder temperatures at night can cause slippery conditions on roads and sidewalks. Pedestrians and drivers were being urged to use extreme caution in particular in mornings and evenings. The city also wants to hear from residents who see trouble spots.

"Spring brings potholes. We'll be completing repairs as soon as possible," the release stated, adding people can report using the Click & Fix app.

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