Freezing Temperatures Can`t Stop Construction | Video

Evan Kruegel | 1/11/2013

Working in sub-zero temperatures is just another part of being a construction worker in North Dakota."I`ve worked in 40 below zero before, and it`s pretty cold," said Shawn Biddinger, who was locating underground lines this morning.

When you factor in the wind, the actual temperature feels much colder.

"In many ways wind chill is a lot more important to pay attention to than the actual temperature. It can be very cold outside, but if it`s not windy we can actually do pretty well. If the wind is blowing, all of that heat is whisked away from our skin, we freeze a lot quicker, and hypothermia can set in very, very quickly," said KFYR Chief Meteorologist Kevin Lawrence.

Biddinger says he prepares ahead of time when he knows a storm is moving in. "Just gotta make sure I have all the safety and cold weather gear in my truck. Gloves, hat, phone numbers in case I get stuck in the snow. And always have two people at the same time, because if you get stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, you`re in trouble. And it`s going to take a long time for somebody to get to you."

He says he`s never encountered a temperature where he`d be too cold to work, because even in freezing temperatures, construction never stops in western North Dakota. "Nope, never stops, there`s construction season and that`s it now. There is no winter or stopping, we just keep going. And it`s all about the oil, they want to keep working to get housing available and get everybody in here so that they can live and prosper here in North Dakota."

For new housing to develop, somebody has to work, even if it means bundling up and braving the cold.

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