Roads and road maintenance are a surprisingly complicated issue. A lot goes into the decisions that are made regarding roads and road maintenance. The board will post here regularly on all issues regarding roads. As always, you can contact the board at meekarmcoveboard@gmail.com.
Interested in learning more about how are Meek Arm roads are maintained? Take a look at The Art and Science of Gravel Road Maintenance.
Last Updated: 10 October 2024
We do NOT maintain Nature Drive, the paved road. That is a public road and winter maintenance on that road is done by the province. You can go to the Plow Tracker at novascotia.ca/tran/winter/plowtracker.asp to see where they are in their cleanup after snow and ice events.
This page will attempt to describe more recent events to keep residents up to date on recent road maintenance decisions. For the detailed reasons behind road maintenance decisions, please read the document posted above, The Art and Science of Gravel Road Maintenance. The snow plow contract is to not allow more than 10cm of snow be on the road at any time and plow automatically if there is 5cm or more. If we get less than 5cm of snow, we have to look at the conditions of the road, if the road is frozen or not, look at the forecast weather and make a decision if we want the roads plowed. If we do, we call the plow contractor. We only get sand put on the ice if we call and ask for it. If it is raining or if snow is expected within a few hours, any sand put down will be wasted as the rain or snow plowing operation will take it off. We also have to balance the desires of the community. Keeping the roads free from ice for walking is more expensive than keeping it sufficient for driving. Some people want lower condo fees and don't walk the roads, others walk the roads.
POT HOLES, GRADING AND DUST CONTROL
13 May 2025 - Tuesday - Grading was done on Meek Arm Trail from the entrance to the bridge. It was determined that more gravel was needed in one area. The plan is to add 100 tonnes of Type 1 gravel between the entrance and the intersection of Western Point Lane and re grade on Friday. Then the plan is to add calcium chloride next week to control dust.
12 May 2025 - Monday - Grading was done on Western Point Lane, Sagebrush Drive and Meek Arm Trail past the bridge. Grader in maintenance Tuesday. Wednesday it is planned for grading to be done on Meek Arm Trail from entrance to bridge.
SNOW and ICY CONDITIONS
9 April 2025 - Wednesday - 7:05 AM Temp -1.3 C. About 9 cm of snow fell in total and stayed on the roads. The more the roads were traveled, the more the snow melted. With above freezing temperatures forecast, all the snow is expected to be gone in two days.
8 April - Tuesday - 10:00 AM Temp 0.2 C. Snowing since last night and some is staying on the road. Forecast to be up to 8 cm of snow. Asked contractor to not plow as the roads are too soft and the risk of damaging them is too great.