The Town of Smithers is burning through more fuel to keep up with an unusually icy winter.
The town said last week that they’ve gone through 36,511 litres of diesel in snow clearing operations during the period of November and December 2011, and January this year.
That’s a 37 per cent rise from the same period the year before which saw them go through 26,586 litres.
Unusual temperatures for the winter, with continual freeze-thaw, as well as rain, which started before Christmas and continues this month, have been hard on the town.
“We’re certainly taking it seriously and our public works department has been working like crazy to do everything they can to stay on top of it,” said Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach.
The town notes that conditions have also done a number for pothole growth and increased cracking on roads.
Council in response have recommended increased funding for the road patching program in 2012.
Bachrach also added that they’ll have to look at possibly raising the general road maintenance budget if this sort of winter is going to be repeated.