The spring thaw is continuing to spill across Sturgeon County roads, leading to more closures.
Highway 825, which had been blocked for several days last week, opened to traffic on Thursday, along with several other county roads that were flooded. Several other roads, however, have been closed due to excess water.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Range Road 265 was closed from Highway 37 to Township Road 552; Range Road 270 was shut between Highway 37 and Township Road 552; Range Road 271 in between Township Roads 552 and 554 is impassable; Range Road 252 is closed from Township Road 564 to Township Road to 570 and Range Road 244 is also under water from Township Road 573 to Highway 631.
There are several other water-covered roadways that have not been closed but where the county is advising residents to be cautious.
Those roads include Range Road 251, 1.6 kilometres north of Township Road 564; Township Road 572 between Range Road 244 and highway 803 and Range Road 244 1.2 kilometres north of Township Road 580.
Ian McKay, general manager of infrastructure for the county, gave an update to council during their Tuesday morning meeting.
In addition to listing the roads, McKay told councillors crews had worked through the Easter weekend responding to flood issues as they sprung up.
He said in many cases that meant unplugging culverts of ice or other debris just to get the water moving more quickly.
He said where the roads were washed out, the transportation department was trying to repave and re-gravel the road after the water was cleared out.
McKay added it appears several winters of drier conditions had allowed some of the drainage issues to fall down the priority list.
“A lot of these items have been neglected so we would like to develop a plan and bring it to council at budget time,” he said.
Residents who encounter flooding the county might not be aware of are being encouraged to call the transportation department at 780-939-8252.
