Winter has hit Saskatchewan in full force and motorists will now be sharing the provincial highways with 300 snow plows from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure as they remove snow and treat ice on the 26,000 km network. Motorists are reminded to stay back and stay safe, giving the snow plow room to work as highways are cleared using the most effective methods for varying weather conditions.
"Last winter we received a substantial amount of snow, and our plows were out in full force working hard to keep highways safe," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "Unfortunately we experienced several collisions between snow plows and motorists, and we'd like to avoid the same situations from happening this winter."
Snow plows can create a mini blizzard or whiteout condition in their wake, often obscuring the plow from sight despite the checkerboard truck boxes and flashing lights meant to keep them visible. Motorists who approach a sudden whiteout should be aware it is likely a snow plow working up ahead, and to slow down, stay back and stay safe. The plows pull over every 10 kilometres or so to allow vehicles to pass.
Legislation passed in the spring of 2009 also requires drivers to slow to 60 km when passing a snow plow, with warning lights flashing, whether in operation or stopped on the side of the road.
There are around 300 snow plow trucks working in 85 maintenance sections throughout the province, on the road before, during and after storms. Highways are inspected frequently to determine if snow plowing or salt/sand application is needed, and to report up-to-date highway conditions to the Highway Hotline. "Night Riders" travel routes up to 500 km long throughout the night to report and treat conditions on the most heavily travelled highways.
Winter maintenance is prioritized based on classification and traffic volumes:
Level 1 - Snow removal or ice treatment occurs on the driving lanes within six hours of the end of the storm on highways that serve as commuter routes, major inter-provincial and international travel routes, and have an average annual daily traffic (AADT) count of 1,500 or more vehicles. Additional time may be required in extreme circumstances.
Level 2 - Snow removal or ice treatment occurs within 12 hours of the end of the storm on highways with an AADT between 300 and 1,500 without jeopardizing service to Level 1 highways. Additional time may be required in extreme circumstances.
Level 3 - Snow removal or ice treatment should occur on all other highways with an AADT less than 300 as soon as possible or within 24 hours, without jeopardizing service to Level 1 or 2 highways.
For more information on winter maintenance activities and snow plow safety please see the accompanying fact sheets or go to www.highways.gov.sk.ca.
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