Please note that according to Environment Canada's forecasts, a winter storm will affect several regions of Quebec on Tuesday evening and Wednesday. Heavy snow and strong winds will greatly affect travel on many of Quebec's major highways.
To read the press release from the Ministère des Transports du Québec, please see: Press release - February 12, 2019
English version of the press release:
Gatineau, February 12, 2019 - According to Environment Canada forecasts, a winter storm will affect several regions of Quebec on Tuesday evening and Wednesday. Heavy snow and strong winds will greatly affect travel on many of Quebec's major highways.
The Ministry of Transportation will provide the required maintenance operations to reduce the impact of winter conditions on travel. Thus, throughout the precipitation, the necessary equipment will be deployed on the road network to limit the accumulation of snow on the roadway and to apply the necessary melting or abrasive products. Thereafter, the Ministry of Transportation will implement the appropriate means to ensure that the roadway is cleared of all snow and ice as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, increased monitoring of the road network will be carried out.
The Ministry encourages motorists and drivers of heavy vehicles to exercise extreme caution and adapt their driving to road conditions. Non-essential travel should be advanced or postponed.
Highlights :
Advice to users:
Before taking the road, users must:
- find out about pavement conditions and visibility conditions on the various platforms in Québec 511 (Web, mobile application, telephone);
- ensure that their vehicle is well prepared for the rigours of the cold season and equipped with a first aid kit;
- completely remove snow from their vehicle by looking around the windows, mirrors, roof, hood, headlights and license plate.
During their travels, users must:
- adapt their speed according to weather and road conditions;
- keep a safe distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them;
- Be patient in the presence of winter maintenance vehicles and make sure you are visible to their drivers: these mastodons have blind spots that you should be careful of!
During their travels, users must:
- adapt their speed according to weather and road conditions;
- keep a safe distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them;
- Be patient in the presence of winter maintenance vehicles and make sure you are visible to their drivers: these mastodons have blind spots that you should be careful of!
Road maintenance
- The Ministry is responsible for the maintenance of more than 32,000 kilometres of roads.
- This winter, the Department will invest some $275 million to carry out snow and ice removal operations on roads.
- In total, more than 1,600 trucks are used for winter maintenance of the Department's network.
- Each winter, the Department uses approximately 800,000 tonnes of salt and 1,100,000 tonnes of abrasives to ensure safe travel.
