PLAN AHEAD
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
DID YOU KNOW? Private companies have been contracted by the Government of Alberta to maintain Alberta’s primary highways (numbered with one or two digits) since 1996 and three-digit highways since 2001. Maintenance contract inspectors monitor the contractors’ work to ensure it is carried out to established standards. Contractors monitor the highway road conditions 24/7 and send out snowplows when the roads are icy or when three cm of snow falls.
ALL THIS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! Dial 5-1-1 Go to 511.alberta.ca Download the 511 Alberta Mobile app Follow @511Alberta on Twitter Snowplow locator: vts.511.alberta.ca 511 Alberta allows Albertans to better plan trips and highway maintenance contractors to better plan snow and ice control.
If you have a question or comment about winter highway maintenance, contact regional Alberta Transportation staff toll-free 310-0000 or your local highway maintenance contractor.
HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE CONTRACTORS Alberta Highway Services Ltd. 1-888-255-5554 Carillion Canada Inc. 1-800-390-2242 Carmacks Maintenance Services Ltd. 1-800-621-5386 (Calgary area) 1-866-364-7339 (Edmonton area) LaPrairie Works Inc. 1-866-532-8555
Available 24/7, get the latest information on road conditions, construction zones and delays, major collisions, road closures, wideload reports and snowplow locations. View highway cameras by highway or by route to see road conditions/traffic, pavement/air temperatures and wind speed/direction.
Ledcor Alberta Limited 1-866-453-3267
Do your part to keep our highways safe this winter by planning ahead and driving according to the road conditions.
Volker Stevin Highways Ltd. 1-888-877-6237
Lafarge Infrastructure (780) 466-5084 Mainroad Chinook Contracting 1-877-989-7623
For more information, visit the Maintenance Contracts section at
www.transportation.alberta.ca
BE PREPARED
FOR THE
WINTER
HIGHWAYS
600 PLOWS + PREPARATION + CAREFUL DRIVING =
SAFER WINTER HIGHWAYS Snowplows are ready to head out at a moment’s notice when the highways are icy or snow covered. Give snowplow operators the time and space to do their work. Snowplows can drive at only 60 km/hour while applying sand and salt. So if you see a snowplow ahead, reduce your speed and stay back. This also prevents your windshield from being hit by flying sand. Snowplows will pull over to allow you to pass when it is safe to do so. Contractors work to provide snow and ice control before traffic is heavy, whenever possible.
PREPARE FOR WINTER CONDITIONS 1. Check the current road conditions by calling 5-1-1 or checking 511.Alberta.ca, Alberta’s Official Road Reports. Follow @511Alberta for the latest updates. 2. Allow extra travel time so you are not rushing to your destination. 3. Pack an emergency road kit. Have your vehicle in good working order. 4. Check the weather forecast before you go. While driving, pay attention to changing weather. Heavy snowfalls, high winds, extreme cold temperatures and freezing rain can change the road conditions quickly and adversely.
PACK AN EMERGENCY ROAD KIT IN YOUR VEHICLE’S TRUCK OR CARGO SPACE
First Aid Kit Fire Extinguisher Blanket Road Map & Compass Extra Clothing & Footwear Paper Towel or Rags Booster Cables Sand, Road Salt or non-clumping Kitty Litter Flashlight with Extra Batteries Emergency Food
– anything that won’t spoil like granola bars, nuts or chocolate
Ice Scraper & Snowbrush Cell Phone Candle in a deep tin Waterproof Matches Shovel