Sudbury's new pothole patching machine hits the streets
The state of the roads in Greater Sudbury is a popular topic of conversation, with potholes around the city a constant concern, and officials have high hopes for a new piece of equipment that is expected to help alleviate the problem.
"It’s no secret that for many residents, pothole patching and road maintenance is a top priority," said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger in a news release. "City council is committed to investing in technology that creates a more efficient way to provide important services. I am very excited to see the results."
A new automated pothole patching machine called the Python 5000 was purchased by the city last year and staff have been learning how to use it since it arrived in November.
Usually, pothole patching in the Nickel City involves a crew of three to five people, several pieces of equipment and about four tonnes of asphalt per day. The new machine carries five tonnes of asphalt and can be operated by one person.
Only one person is needed to operate the City of Greater Sudbury's new pothole patching machine, The Python 5000. (Supplied)
"We are always testing new ways to provide more efficient service to the community," said Tony Cecutti, the city's general manager of growth and infrastructure in a news release. "The Python 5000 is a valuable service enhancement and I look forward to seeing how it performs in the coming months."
The machine can be used on main arterial roads and secondary collector routes in the winter with cold and recycled mix asphalt, the city said.
"In the summer, the machine will focus on four-lane roads as this will eliminate the need for additional staff to perform traffic control duties," the City of Greater Sudbury said in a news release.
The Python 5000 manufacturer claims the machine can do triple the amount of work that a traditional crew can do manually.
Residents can report potholes to the city by calling 311 or submitting a form online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.