A pilot program for private landowners in the RM of Corman Park to obtain dust control applications of calcium chloride at reduced cost is back for another year.
Corman Park Manager of Public Works Administration Cynthia Sotnikow said the program was well-received last summer when it was first introduced, prompting the municipality to offer it again.
“With the roads drying up quickly, we’ve already had inquiries about the program,” said Sotnikow. “People are looking for ways to minimize dust near their property, and this provides a cost-saving option.”
The RM is contracting with McGill’s to provide the service.
The municipality already uses this company for dust control on certain roads warranted by RM policy, which includes heavily-travelled arteries that see more than 500 vehicles per day. Under the pilot program, the RM consolidates the requests which allow for efficient delivery of dust control by the contractor.
Sotnikow said there will be two set times during the summer for the contractor to apply calcium chloride under the pilot program.
The ‘Spring Dust Control’ application window is slated for the week of June 5-9 and the ‘Summer Dust Control’ application window is scheduled for August 28-September 1. The actual work could take place one week earlier or later than those dates because it is weather-dependent, said Sotnikow.
In order to be enrolled in the program, ratepayers must submit their application forms by May 8 for the ‘Spring Dust Control’ window; and by August 8 for the ‘Summer Dust Control’ window. Application forms can be filled out online or in person at the RM office in Saskatoon.
“A dust control pilot program application form will need to be filled out and returned to the RM by the form submission deadline,” said Sotnikow. “The RM will then arrange the dust control application for a discounted rate and invoice the landowner after the dust control is applied.”
She noted that renters will have to pay the full amount, including taxes, up-front at the time of the submission of the application form. This policy is consistent with other programs offered by the RM.
Sotnikow said the program has been “tweaked” this year to incorporate improvements suggested by ratepayers.
“Last year we had a set distance for the application,” said Sotnikow. “This year, we’re offering it in 100-meter increments; anywhere from 100 meters upward.”
The width of the application is 7.3 meters, and the calcium chloride is applied at a rate of 1.36 litres per square meter.
According to the RM, the approximate cost to ratepayers under the program is $526.29 for 100 meters; $1,052.58 for 200 meters; $1,578.87 for 300 meters; $2,105.15 for 400 meters; $2,631.44 for 500 meters; and $3,157.73 for 600 meters. Other distances will self-calculate when entered on the online form. The RM notes that these prices may be subject to change.
Sotnikow said the overall effectiveness of dust control programs is impacted by weather conditions. A series of dry summers will tend to lower the benefit of dust control applications.
“It’s also a question of determining the best time to apply dust control,” she noted. “There are pros and cons, since regular road maintenance is held off on areas where dust control is applied until we receive rain, because moisture is needed to blade the road, while also ensuring the product is not removed in the process.
“This can often result in a rough road surface, which is also a concern for drivers.
“It becomes a give-and-take situation.”
Residents who are looking to have dust control applications done outside the pilot program are responsible for the cost and scheduling of the service. They must contact the RM a minimum of 72 hours prior to the work being done, so that the municipality can dispatch a grader to prepare the road surface for the application.
Full details of the RM’s dust control pilot program are available on the Corman Park website (https://rmcormanpark.ca/211/Dust-Control).