Winter Maintenance – Highway Driving Conditions

Winter Maintenance Season runs from November to April

Telephone Numbers

The following numbers are available to speak directly to staff at our dispatch office. Long distance charges may apply if applicable.

AVALON REGION 1-709-729-7669
EASTERN REGION 1-709-466-4160
CENTRAL REGION 1-709-292-4444
WESTERN REGION 1-709-635-4144
LABRADOR REGION 1-709-896-7888
Terra Nova National Park
c/o Parks Canada		 1-709-533-2801

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The Weather Network

The Weather Network cable television channel makes road reports available to viewers.

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Drive To Road Conditions – Reduce Your Speed

While the road reports are a good general guide to road conditions province-wide, winter driving conditions can change very quickly, especially when dealing with drifting or blowing snow. Drivers should ensure they use extra caution and vigilance on all roads throughout the winter months. Adjust your speed to winter conditions and prepare to drive in winter’s worst.

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Studded Tire Regulations

For information on studded tires, forward questions to the Motor Registration Division of the Department of Digital Government and Service NL.

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Make Informed Travel Decisions

Changing weather patterns and fluctuations in temperature at this time of year can lead to periods of snow covered or icy conditions on our roads.

The men and women of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure will do their best to make the Province’s roads safer in winter, but safe winter driving is everyone’s responsibility. You must do your part too. It is extremely important that motorists know what conditions are, and make informed travel decisions. Check the conditions before you drive and then if you decide to travel, drive in accordance with weather and road conditions. Snow means slow. You should also keep in mind the department’s snow clearing hours of operation.

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Snow Clearing Hours of Operation

Throughout the winter, maintenance supervisors assess road conditions night and day. Maintenance crews report for work between 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., five days a week, depending on the area of the province. They work until mid-afternoon, unless weather conditions dictate they work additional hours. During storms, plowing continues until 9:30 p.m. or longer until all roads are open to traffic, if the storm is ending. If the snow is continuing, crews normally go home around 10:00 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. the next day. Between 10:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m./ 5:00 a.m. crews are generally not in operation, except in emergency situations. During this period, vehicular traffic flow is typically very low.

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Know Before You Go!

Our Live Highway Camera img continue to provide a source of information on current driving conditions and are available for viewing year round.

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Additional Information

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