Snowplowing Service Exceeds Standards in Cape Breton

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Snowplowing Service Exceeds Standards in Cape Breton

Another snowstorm may be headed for Cape Breton and that means provincial snowplows will be out in full force to clear roads for motorists.

When a storm hits, the Department of Transportation and Public Works has a schedule to follow and routes already mapped out. Barb Baillie, the department's manager for Cape Breton County, says the rules for clearing snow are the same throughout the province. "We have to meet guidelines that set out priorities for different types of roads," Ms. Baillie said today, Jan. 19.

One-hundred series highways, such as Highway 125, are plowed first and must be completed within eight hours after the storm has ended. Trunk highways, such as the Trunk 28 (Sydney New Waterford highway), are the next priority and must be plowed within 12 hours. The same standard applies to routes, such as Route 239 (Westmount Road). Local paved roads and gravel roads are plowed within 24 hours of the end of a storm.

"We normally get all roads done ahead of schedule," said Ms. Baillie. "We had all highways and roads plowed within 12 hours after the end of Monday's storm but there were a few local roads that were not opened until 16 hours later."

Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works said, "Residents from Cape Breton to Yarmouth receive the same service on the same roads, all the time. Our winter staff work in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions to ensure we deliver quality service." He added that 95 per cent of the time the plow operators meet and exceed those standards.

Ms. Baillie said the best advice for motorists during snowstorms is to stay off the roads until the weather is clear and roads are safe.

Drivers can check on road and weather conditions by visiting the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran or by calling toll-free 1-800-307-SNOW (7669).