With a winter storm in the current weather forecast, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation advises motorists to watch for snow-clearing equipment on highways and provincial roads.
When weather events affect the provincial highway system, crews are sent out as needed, regardless of the time or day.
Motorists are reminded:
• that all maintenance equipment has flashing blue warning lights,
• to stay well back of all equipment,
• to always remain alert when following or approaching oncoming plows,
• not to attempt to pass a plow in operation from behind at any time, and
• to slow down when passing approaching snowplows in operation.
The Manitoba government is responsible for maintaining the 19,000-kilometre provincial highway system to provide safe and timely travel during the winter season. However, highway travel is dependent on weather conditions.
Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation’s winter operations budget is more than $33 million and annual snow-clearing and removal costs are over $14 million. There are approximately 300 staff working out of more than 60 maintenance yards across the province. Each yard has designated highways to maintain.
The province has also invested more than $10 million in new equipment in each of the last three years to update and improve the snowplow fleet. The winter maintenance system includes 305 truck plows, sanders and graders.
The latest information on road conditions is available anytime by calling 511 (toll-free), online at www.mb511.ca or by following the Twitter account at @MBGovRoads.
