THUNDER BAY – The Python 5000 has hit the road to start filling in the potholes left after the difficult winter season.
"The Python's out right now focusing on arterial and collector road ways during this spring melt, and we'll continue doing that until the summer when we can get some hot mix asphalt, and then we'll continue on with that. It depends on what areas it's going to and how far it has to travel, but it can do anywhere from three to 10 tons during a day,” said roads supervisor Ian Spoljarich.
"We have crews out as well, hand crews out as well along with the Python when available. We're still dealing with some snow events, with sanding and icing, and that's obviously still a priority for us right now."
The 360,000 dollar machine has been in possession of the city since 2017 and in a given season it is able to fill thousands of potholes.
It requires only one person to operate, and the machine has interested other municipalities in Canada.
The Python 5000 was waiting on an important part earlier this year, but the city received it just in time to roll the machine out for the snow-melt.
While it is an effective part of the city's pothole efforts, manual crews are still important, and Spoljarich hopes more workers will become available in the spring.
