Weeks of back-to-back winter storms have takena toll on the Maritimes, damaging roads and the vehicles that use them.
Auto repair shops and tow companies say they’ve been flooded with calls.
“We’ve been terribly busy. It’s way busier than White Juan,” says tow company owner Bill Urquhart.
During White Juan, Halifax was buried in snow and people stayed home, said Urquhuart.
“This time it’s storm after storm, which is compacting the flash-freezing of the rain. It’s made it worse,” he said
Auto shop owner Fred Nima said some of the cars that have been towed to his shop had snow packed around the axels, or simply wouldn’t start because of the cold temperatures.
Roads are also taking a beating.
“We definitely see potholes this time of year,” said Jennifer Stairs, spokeswoman for the City of Halifax.
“Damage to the sidewalks, the concrete there, it’s less of a problem we find. It’s not like the street plows that go through and rip up that temporary patching,” she said.
The heavy ice is also causing major problems for people with mobility issues.
“In this whole neighbourhood I can’t go anywhere all winter long because they never keep the corner of the curbs clear,” said Daniel Towsey, who uses a wheelchair.
“I’m always on the street all winter long.”
With more snow forecast for this week, the municipality of East Hants is closing all sidewalks for a week — for safety reasons and to help the snow-removal crews working there.
“Right now we have banks exceeding five feet high, so the visibility of pedestrians is difficult for oncoming plows and equipment,” said Jesse Huslman, the municipality’s director of infrastructure.
“We’re doing our best but winter’s winning at this point.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Amanda Debison
