"The majority of test holes showed that the ice does not yet meet the minimum required depth to allow for safe travel," said Al Hoggan, Senior Manager of Transportation Services.
In January 2011 Lac La Biche County Council passed a motion to adopt the Province's Best Practice for Building and Working Safely on Ice Covers in Alberta, a guide that recommends a minimum ice thickness for vehicular travel.
Many of the test holes did not meet the required ice depth to allow the road to be officially opened by the County.
Under appropriate conditions, the ice road on Lac La Biche Lake would normally stretch between the Lac La Biche Mission and Poplar Point. Historically, the winter access has been a regular route each season; however, last year administration brought ice road safety concerns to Council's attention, at which time provincial standards were introduced and adopted as a standard guide to determine if the snow on the ice is cleared for travel purposes.
The guide also outlines other factors that could affect the determination if a road is deemed safe enough to open, such as the quality and type of ice.
"We are not recommending anyone to travel with a vehicle on the ice road given the current findings," added Hoggan.
Lac La Biche County staff will continue to monitor ice thickness and will officially open the road if and when ice conditions become appropriate for motor vehicle travel.
