Approximately 550 pieces of winter maintenance equipment and 67 highway depots are involved in winter operations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, helping ensure the safety of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians traveling provincial highways during the winter season.

Winter equipment operators take appropriate measures to improve the safety of highways. The crews have staggered start times, beginning at 4:30 a.m., and continue to operate until 10:00 p.m. as conditions require.

The Provincial Government wishes to remind the travelling public that as of December 1, overnight winter road operations occur on the 12 most traveled routes in the province as conditions warrant. These routes are listed in the backgrounder below. In the case of emergencies on the other provincial highways, staff are available to clear routes and escort emergency personnel after hours.

Everyone has a role to play in ensuring their safety and the safety of others. Drivers are reminded to slow down and drive to conditions. There are various tools available to support safe winter driving, and the motoring public is encouraged to make it a habit to use these tools before they drive on highways. These include:

• Reports on highway driving conditions and cameras on ca;
• Provincial plow tracker; and
• Weather warnings via Environment Canada 

Budget 2023 allocated an additional $4 million this year, as well as $25 million per year for the next five years, to renew the winter fleet in the province. A multi-year tender is also in place, and 44 new snow plows have been ordered. This winter, eight new heavy-duty single axle trucks with plows and salters were purchased and added to the fleet to service a number of rural routes, and 14 new loaders are also being procured for this winter.

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“We remain dedicated to helping ensure the safety of our traveling public throughout the winter season, and I commend the many equipment operators who serve the residents of our province each day of the season. When it comes to winter road maintenance, it is important to remember that these vehicles have to start and stop somewhere – they cannot be everywhere at once. It is important that we all use the tools available to us to be aware of driving conditions, slow down and allow for extra traveling time.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

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BACKGROUNDER

24-Hour Snow Clearing Operations