Montreal snow-removal crews are tackling an unprecedented challenge this week: clearing over 70 centimeters of snow left by two consecutive storms. Environment and Climate Change Canada reports this as the largest snowfall in a four-day period on record. City officials note that snowbanks are so massive, machines must make two or three passes to clear a single street side.
Unlike the past, when horse-drawn plows and manual shoveling were the norm, Montreal is now equipped with powerful snow-clearing machinery. The shift began in 1905 when the city assumed responsibility for snow removal, hiring laborers to shovel snow for 25 cents an hour. By 1928, Montreal adopted its first snowblower, invented by Arthur Sicard, whose innovative design revolutionized snow clearing.
Sicard’s creation, inspired by a grain thresher, could blow snow more than 25 meters. Montreal purchased its first Sicard snowblowers in 1927, and by 1938, the machines became a staple for city crews. Sicard’s invention not only eased snow clearing but also marked a turning point in urban winter management.
Today, with over 800,000 vehicles registered on the island, snow-removal operations face mounting expectations for swift and efficient results. Mayor Valérie Plante acknowledged the strain of this historic storm, urging patience as crews work tirelessly to restore normalcy.
Despite the challenges, Montreal’s resilience in facing harsh winters remains unwavering, a testament to its enduring ingenuity and spirit.
Source: Swifteradio.com
