Winter Operations FAQ | Mainroad North Island Contracting LP

The headquarters and primary works yard for Mainroad North Island Contracting is in Cumberland with supporting works yards in:

• Campbell River
• Gold River
• Port McNeill
• Sayward
• BC’s Gulf Islands | Quadra, Cortes, Denman and Hornby

Our fleet and crews are fully engaged in winter maintenance operations. Up to 80 employees plus mechanical support are available to work around the clock to keep our roads clear.

As the weather can change rapidly on Vancouver Island, Mainroad is continuously monitoring weather and highway 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 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 is 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 anti-ice 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 engaged in winter maintenance operations.  Up to 80 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 crews will be called into to plow the roads.

Mainroad primarily uses two materials on Vancouver Island 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.

TranBC Link: How BC highway maintenance contracts have changed for the better

TranBC Link: The ABC’s of winter highway classification and maintenance in BC

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

Weather can change rapidly on Vancouver Island 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.

Mainroad crews will also be patrolling Service Area highways for down trees and vegetation on the road however it will take some time to clear a down power line so check DriveBC for updates.  Mainroad will coordinate with BC Hydro to determine when the area is safe.

Never try to approach or drive across a down power line. Remain at least three metres (10 feet away) from power lines.  That means above, below, and beside.  Call 911 to immediately report a fallen power line.  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.

During every storm event, Mainroad will provide the Ministry and Media with regular updates.

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

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

You can also write Mainroad: Email – northisland@mainroad.ca

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