Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 09/99) - Cover your face and run for it.

Okay, it may not be that bad, but warm weather has uncovered Yellowknife's dirt and gravel layered streets -- and dust is in the air.

City councillor Kevin O'Reilly noticed some local businesses taking care of their own lots to cut dust down. He asked city administration on Tuesday to get city streets cleaned up, so the public wouldn't have to suffer.

"I brought it up because the Co-op has already swept their parking lot, which made me think, if they can do it, why not the city?" O'Reilly said.

"The road dust is obviously a health hazard. There must be more urgency to get the streets cleaned. If it means closing off the streets and using brooms and shovels, then so be it."

Sutherland's Drugs owner and pharmacist, Stephen Gwilliam, said he's had many customers complain about excessive road dust. Those who have asthma and allergies suffer the most, as do contact lens wearers.

"I've always argued that the city has to remove the gravel more than once a year," Gwilliam said.

Rubber from tires, oil and gas are just a few of the irritants that collect over time. Those irritants get kicked up in the dust and are breathed in.

"Because the city doesn't clear the roads over the winter, irritants build up. Many asthma sufferers will be home- bound until the city cleans the road surfaces," Gwilliam said.

"Some people can get by with filters, but they're costly and unattractive to wear. Other than that, there's very little they can do. Even I notice I'm short of breath this time of year and I don't even have asthma."

Director of Public Works, Gary Craig, said cleaning the streets always depends on the weather. Since water is used, above freezing temperatures are needed to avoid making the streets into skating rinks. Also, more snow means more gravel.

"If the weather stays like this, we'll start work Friday, but if we get snow, we're back at square one," Craig said.

Once work starts, they'll focus on downtown Yellowknife first, then move to heavily travelled areas and finish in residential areas. He estimates it takes crews about a month to finish the entire city, weather permitting.