If you’re familiar with the TV show Ice Road Truckers, you probably know about the wild ride that is ice road trucking. And while it may be dramatized on the show, there are definitely real risks in ice road trucking.
Ice road trucking is the method that small towns and mining operations in the far north of Canada and Alaska use to keep their camps supplied during the winter months. The northern territories in which these towns are found are filled with lakes, and during the summer months, ferries keep the supply lines open. During the winter these lakes freeze over, making ferry transport impossible. Instead, the snow is plowed off the surface of the frozen lakes and exposed to the sub-freezing air, which can reach temperatures of negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes the ice under the plowed areas very thick and allows it to support the weight of semi-trucks. Ramps are built to connect bodies over water over land using a frozen mix of snow and lake water. The trucks can then use this icy highway to deliver supplies where they are needed.
Naturally, using ice as a construction material for a highway has its drawbacks. Speeds are limited to about 15 miles per hour, though some truckers exceed this at their own risk. The mass of the truck can actually create waves below the surface of the ice which can cause it to break away from shore. Expansion and contraction due to temperature changes can create large cracks in the ice. Highways that pass through mountainous regions are vulnerable to avalanches. Because these highways pass through such remote locations, it can be difficult and time consuming for emergency responders to arrive in the event of an accident. Overall, ice road trucking isn’t for the faint of heart. However, it is the most cost efficient method of delivering supplies to these high-latitude towns and mining operations.
Evan Transportation was founded in 1992 by Jerry Wolfarth, who at the time had over 25 years of experience in the trucking and transportation industry. The initial operation consisted of a few trucks and drivers who were dedicated and professional. The goal of the company was to provide excellent, dependable service.
If you need materials and products moved in the Mid-Atlantic region, contact Evan Transportation. We hire professional drivers with excellent driving records, and maintain a fleet of trailers and vehicles that are reliable and ready to roll.
Contact us today for all of your freight shipment needs or call us at 443-673-3365
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Source
http://voices.yahoo.com/what-ice-road-trucking-exactly-3319976.html?cat=27
http://juneauempire.com/state/2013-06-01/avalanches-plague-ice-road-truckers-highway#.UqoIpfRDvNw