It’s time for everyone to Shift into Winter.
During winter driving conditions, Mainroad Contracting is committed to the safety of motorists, cyclists and residents.
Be prepared | Report changing road conditions
We’re asking drivers and cyclists to be prepared for the unpredictability of the winter season. Before heading out, please visit Drive BC for current road conditions, weather forecasts, and real-time conditions via webcams. Please report accidents, unsafe road conditions and road kill to Mainroad’s 24-hour hotline. This hotline is used to update DriveBC, dispatch additional personnel and record public communication as required.
Winter road maintenance standards
We often get asked which streets get plowing priority, how often we plow snow and apply the use of salt and winter abrasive. It’s important for everyone to know that Mainroad’s plowing response time is determined by the standards set by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Priority is given to numbered highways and school bus routes with other roads frequency determined by winter traffic volumes. These frequencies are reviewed annually by the Ministry to ensure that plowing priorities reflect any changes in the road network.
Road and bridge deck sweeping
The Ministry also sets the standards on the frequency of road and bridge deck sweeping. We have an active cycling community in the Lower Mainland, Howe Sound and Vancouver Island that report road conditions and the need for sweeping cycle paths. Road sweeping is scheduled every 120 days and major bridge decks are swept every 30 days.
Slow Down
During the winter season, please drive to the conditions, slow down, and increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. We encourage drivers to choose the best winter tires possible when driving in snow and ice, and to ensure tires are in good condition, with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm. We’re also asking cyclists to please take responsibility for their own safety, don’t expect summer road conditions during the winter season.
Mainroad is a Winter Driving Safety Alliance partner and visible supporter of Shift into Winter, a public awareness campaign designed to inform B.C. drivers about the importance of safe winter driving. For daily winter driving tips, follow us on Twitter @mainroadteam.