Winter Operations FAQ | Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting LP

The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure maintains the Lower Mainland Counterflow Operations – Traffic Counterflow Operations for the George Massey Tunnel and Alex Fraser Bridge

Routes and Driving Conditions | HOV Lanes, Disaster Response Routes, Counterflow, Border Crossings, Drivers & Cyclists, Wildlife, In Case of Emergency, Seasonal Driving and much more

Mainroad’s headquarters and primary works yard for Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting is based in Surrey. Other maintenance yards are located in:

• Delta
• Langley

Our fleet and crews are fully engaged in winter maintenance operations.  Up to 100 employees plus mechanical support are available to work around the clock to keep our roads clear.

Lower Mainland winter weather can be unpredictable when we tend to experience
micro-climates in some parts of the service area.  For example:

• Johnson Hill on the South side of the Port Mann Bridge
• Hwy 99 around 24th Avenue
• UBC Area – Main arterial routes
• Hwy 1: 248th to 264th where see increasing elevations and the region can experience icy conditions.

Mainroad is constantly monitoring weather and highway conditions.  To determine how best to protect motorists, we oversee weather in two ways:

1. Monitoring: Mainroad uses MARWIS, is a mobile road weather information sensor that measures road conditions and environmental data both reliably and professionally.  The sensor is directly installed on the vehicle to collect weather data such as temperatures, humidity, and dew points.  This helps our crews manage the road surfaces.

Road Patrols: Prior to and during a storm event, our operators are on the road observing current conditions and making the calls as to what maintenance is required.

2. Forecasting: Mainroad uses data derived from Road Weather Information System (RWIS) stations throughout our maintenance areas for weather forecasting.

Road Weather Forecasting: Environment Canada’s Meteorological Service of Canada does not perform road weather forecasting.  This vital service is only available through private sector service providers.  Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting contracts with a leading road weather forecaster, which watches over B.C. weather 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

TranBC Link | More on how the BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure monitors weather and highway conditions

Environment Canada also contributes to our weather watch, providing regional forecasts.  Combined with additional weather information from other sources, these tools help us predict road conditions.  But firsthand experience is also a big part of knowing our roads.  That’s why Mainroad patrols the highways on a regular basis.

Mainroad crews will be patrolling service area highways and roads while monitoring the forecast closely.  Crews will apply specific material to the road surface as determined by the forecast and actual weather conditions.  Pre-storm activities typically include pre-salting/brining and monitoring the forecast closely.  The proactive use of an anti-icing brine (for example) is a proven way of combatting ice from forming on the highway surface.  This technique is used throughout most highway maintenance jurisdictions in North America.  During a heavy rain advisory, crews will check and clear service area catch basins. 

Ahead of a weather event, Mainroad releases regular road and weather updates to a contact list of local agencies, various stakeholders including the Ministry and Media to help inform the public.  This helps everyone understand the current conditions, expected weather and Mainroad’s response.  These updates are also posted on our social media.

When a weather event occurs, (snow, freezing rain, flooding, etc.) our fleet and crews will be fully engaged in winter maintenance operations.  Up to 100 employees plus mechanical support are available to work around the clock plowing, sanding and/or salting as conditions warrant and patrolling the service area.  Additional manpower will be called in to assist as necessary.

Mainroad primarily uses two materials in the Lower Mainland for winter road maintenance: anti-icing brine and de-icing salt with winter sand as required.  The use of a specific material is determined by the forecast, actual weather conditions and in accordance with the standard set by the Ministry.

Anti-icing Liquids (brine): Anti-icing liquids are used as a preventative material prior to snowfall.  Typically, these materials are applied prior to a forecasted winter event and dry on the highway surface to provide early on snow melting capabilities.  Brine can also act as a de-icing agent during a storm or once a storm has passed and can help to remove packed snow and ice from the road surface.  After snow has been cleared, liquid anti-icing brine is an important component in Mainroad’s plan to prevent ice from forming as it breaks down the bonding ability of ice on the road surface.

Learn more about Mainroad’s liquid anti-icing program

Salt: Salt is a staple of our winter maintenance routine.  Sometimes salt is used in a liquid (salt brine), sometimes in a solid.  Salt melts the ice and dissolves the snow into slush or water but if the snow keeps coming, it will dilute the salt and make it less effective.  Salt is only effective in certain temperatures. If temperatures fall below -5C, salt becomes less effective.  ​

Winter Sand: The winter sand used by Mainroad is a graded material specified by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Winter abrasives improve traction. During a snow event, restoring traction will be completed by either applying winter abrasives on compact sections or by applying winter chemicals to compact sections to melt snow and ice when pavement temperatures are above -9C.

The use of a specific material is determined by forecast and actual weather conditions.

Mainroad’s response time is determined by the standards set by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.  Priority is given to major highway routes such as numbered highways and school bus routes because those are the ones used by emergency services and the majority of traffic.  Other road frequency is 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.

When winter hits, we need to keep service area roads as clear as possible – that can be a challenge based on the high traffic volumes that our crews experience in the Lower Mainland.  Sometimes when the snow is falling fast, it can build up quickly again right after the plow passes. In those cases, it’s not uncommon to see those higher-priority routes plowed several times before we can turn our attention to other areas with lower traffic volumes.  It can be a real challenge to keep up with clearing the snow during a severe storm event but using the Ministry’s priority approach allows Mainroad to make the best use of resources to keep roads as safe and reliable as possible.

When plowing, Mainroad’s operators always move the snow from the far left lane to the right shoulder and on routes that include signalized intersections the left lane could be the left turn slot.

TranBC Link | A look behind the scenes at winter maintenance in B.C. 

Weather can change rapidly in the Lower Mainland during winter which is why Mainroad is constantly monitoring weather and highway conditions.  During a storm event, Mainroad crews will be working to clear the highway surfaces as quickly as possible.    When temperatures permit, we will commence anti-icing operations with the goal of getting the compact snow off service area highways and roads.  On primary routes, we will aim to have bare and black conditions from the completion of the weather event as quickly as possible however challenging weather will not always permit us to have bare and black conditions on secondary routes.  During every storm event, Mainroad will provide the Ministry and Media with regular updates.

Other Types of Winter Storm Response

Clearing downed trees and vegetation after other types of winter storms such as a windstorm can take some time for our crews to respond particularly if they encounter a down power line. In this case, crews will coordinate with BC Hydro to determine when the area is safe. If you see a tree within three (3) metres of a power line, leave the tree alone and call BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376. Avoid touching anything, such as a car, object or equipment, or anyone who is in contact with a fallen power line. Keep children and pets away from fallen electric lines. Avoid driving over a fallen power line. Call 911 immediately to report a fallen power line.

Driveway Culvert Maintenance Responsibilities on BC Highways: Your Questions Answered

TranBC Link: Do you own property along a BC highway? If you do, you may have some questions about driveway culverts and culvert maintenance

• Feel free to contact Mainroad’s 24-hour hotline to report a driveway culvert or culvert maintenance issue.
• Alternatively you can contact your local Ministry Regional and District Office Staff.  Information available at this link: Transportation Reports and Reference – Regional District Contacts

There are two ways in which work is assessed against contractual commitments:

Mainroad has a vigorous quality assurance program in place, which tracks our own performance.  Should areas of concern be detected, measures are put in place to deal with the shortcoming and processes are modified to prevent recurrence.  Mainroad is an ISO compliant company and its quality programs are built on those models.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has an ongoing inspection process that involves a high-level overview using resources from areas across the Province, as well as numerous detailed inspections that drill into the inside workings of Mainroad’s maintenance practices.  Mainroad has a very good performance rating, as measured against our contractual commitments.

We appreciate public feedback!  If you come across changing road conditions or debris in the Lower Mainland Service Area that requires maintenance response, please call 604-271-0337.  Be as descriptive as possible.

Mainroad’s Call Centre is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – the operator will record all public feedback and forward the information to our crews on shift to respond, as well as dispatch additional personnel, and update DriveBC.

You can also write Mainroad: Email: lm@mainroad.ca

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