Expensive shock in Valais
Clearing snow costs a million a day
When it snows everywhere in Valais, more than 300 vehicles are in use every day – and that costs money. One million Swiss francs are incurred every day.
Published: 8 minutes ago
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A day of snow clearing in Valais costs around one million Swiss francs.
Snow is beautiful, but also quite expensive – if it has to be cleared away. As Vincent Pellissier, head of the canton’s mobility department, told the daily newspaper “Le Nouvelliste”, he estimates the costs in the canton of Valais for a day and a night at around one million francs.
“When it’s snowing everywhere, over 300 vehicles with snow ploughs, salt spreaders or tillers are in action. That’s 500 machines to open the streets,” says Pellissier. In addition to the actual snow clearing, the amount includes salt spreading and the costs for the canton roads charged by the concessionaires.
Salt has also become more expensive
Around CHF 150,000 would be added to the million per day. These are the wages of the 250 workers who are responsible for clearing snow. The money will come one way or the other. No matter what the weather is like. Expenses for municipal and national roads, including the A9 motorway, are also not included.
After all, according to Vincent Pellissier, since the noughties it has been noted that there has been about ten fewer days of snow per year. However, the salt is more expensive. At the beginning of this year, the Swiss salt works increased the price by around 15 percent.
But if it snows a lot, there is an emergency plan called “Blanche neige”. Trucks and excavators are used to clear away the snow. Then it will be even more expensive. So that it can be determined which vehicles were on the road, they are geolocalized. In this way, invoices could be created automatically. A saline solution is also used to save salt. (twa)