Yellowknife (Nov 03/04) - As snow and ice cover the roads, some Yellowknifers are wondering if the city is doing enough to keep the streets safe.

Over the last few weeks the roads in Yellowknife have become more and more treacherous, taxi driver Boris Stoitchev said.

"It's unacceptable, slippery and dangerous," said Stoitchev, who's lived in Yellowknife since 2000.

"Maybe the city has been caught off guard."

However, Greg Kehoe, director of public works and engineering for the city of Yellowknife, said it's not that simple.

It's always problematic when it's warmer than -10C, he said.

"It's not unusual for us to sand a road and it becomes slippery again in a matter of hours," he said.

During the week, the city's two sanding trucks rumble down the streets at 3 a.m. to get the roads ready for the early-morning rush hour, Kehoe explained.

School zones, playgrounds and high-traffic areas are a priority, he said.

Kehoe adds that the city has on-call staff to respond to especially dangerous conditions.

Driving conditions will improve after the temperature stays below -15C, said Dennis Althouse, public works superintendent.

Twice this year the city also experimented with a compound of salt and sand. But results were mixed.

"It is winter conditions and the roads will be slippery," Kehoe said. "The city's going to do its best within its budgets to keep the roads safe, but everyone's got to look out for their own public safety."

In Bella Husky's opinion, though, that is not enough. More money should be spent on road maintenance, she said.

"It's dangerous out there."

Anyone who wishes to report extreme conditions on the roads can call 920-5699, 24 hours a day.