Plow operators haven't stopped clearing Nova Scotia roads

Plow operators are still struggling to remove built-up snow and ice on Nova Scotia roads.

With more snow on the way for Nova Scotia, keeping all 24,000 kilometres of highways in the province clear is an endless task.

Kevin Mitchell, director of operation services for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, says with little break in snow-clearing needs over the last month, it's easy to understand why some operators get worn out.

"These guys get burnt out after a while. We need the snow to stop for a little bit to give them a break. But honestly, we know that with this storm right now, we get these roads opened up but we're just talking one lane, maybe a little bit more," he told CBC's Information Morning.

"We've still got a lot of work to do. We'll probably be another week, just moving this snow back so we get it widened out to the proper width."

With more snow on the way, Mitchell said it's important to get roads open.

"The challenge is now, is where do we put the snow? We've got massive snowbanks where it has blown in. At least if it's just 10 to 15 centimetres, we can push that with our regular truck," he said.

Mitchell said areas around Nova Scotia's north shore remain impassable.

"That was probably the hardest hit because of the high winds. Everything drifted in and we're still working away there probably, maybe even up to another 12 hours," he said.

Within the Nova Scotia fleet, there are more than 400 snowplows, loaders and graders. Mitchell said this winter, the province has also reached out to private operators for help.

Longer shifts 'just not safe'

"We put all of our resources to some of these areas and these guys are working pretty hard. We give them a lot of credit," he said.

"We've reached out to a lot of contractors to help us out. Just the sheer amount of snow, as you can probably appreciate. Just with the big drifts and the snowbanks, you just can't plow it. In some situations you have to get in there with a loader and lift it and move it out."

He said avoiding fatigue is a priority.

"We try to keep them at a 12-hour shift. They also take some breaks through those shifts and anytime they feel that they need a break, they can pull off and either rest their eyes. If you can imagine driving through that blowing snow, you need to take a little bit of time to just rest your eyes, really," said Mitchell.

"They're all on scheduled 12-hour shifts. We just can't let these guys go any longer than that, it's just not safe for them and they need that down time."

Mitchell said it's not just operators working hard, but mechanics and other staff.

"We're maintaining our equipment as best we can and keeping it on the road, but that's the reality of every storm is breakdowns," he said.