Our Roads

AIM Roads get many inquiries regarding snow being placed in homeowner driveways. Unfortunately, their operators cannot avoid this, although they do the best they can. Road maintenance contractors are allowed a ‘right of way’ to complete their work. This right of way is to allow snow clearing debris to be placed and it is the homeowner’s responsibility to clear the right of way. With heavy snow accumulations, it adds another layer of difficulty navigating for operators and subsequent build up in the right of way.

The snow has to go somewhere. Shoveling a ‘corner’ of the right of way free of snow in the area several feet before the driveway will keep that same snow from being pushed into the driveway. This will help with buildup before the driveway and reduce or eliminate the snow being deposited onto the driveway.

Winter is Here: Be Prepared!

Below is important information about road classifications, snow clearing priorities, and response times for winter road maintenance.

Road Classifications

Roads are categorized into six classes (A through F) based on their traffic volume and importance:

• Class A: High-volume commuter routes and major highways (5,000+ daily winter traffic count).
• Class B: Main and trunk routes with moderate traffic (1,000+ daily winter traffic count).
• Class C: School bus and industrial routes (more than 25% truck traffic).
• Class D: Regularly maintained minor routes.
• Class E: Irregularly maintained routes.
• Class F: Roads not maintained during the winter.

For more information, visit: BC Road Classifications

Winter Maintenance Specifications

Response times for clearing snow and restoring traction vary by road classification. While we generally do not wait for this full accumulation, as our approach is based on route priorities rather than snow depth alone, this threshold provides a clear understanding of our servicing protocol.

Maximum Snow Accumulation

• Class A: 4cm of snow: single lane each direction. 8cms for second lane. 12cms for all other lanes including brake checks, chain ups, or other accessible by vehicle within right of way. 12cms for rest areas, pull outs and parking: minimum 2.5 metre pass length.
• Class B: 6cm of snow: single lane each direction. 10cms for second lane. 16cms for all other lanes including brake checks, chain ups, or other accessible by vehicle within right of way. 16cms for rest areas, pull outs and parking: minimum 2.5 metre pass length.
• Class C: 10cm of snow: single lane each direction. No requirement for second lane. 20cms for all other lanes including brake checks, chain ups, or other accessible by vehicle within right of way. 20cms for rest areas, pull outs and parking: minimum 2.5 metre pass length.
• Class D: 15cm of snow: single lane each direction. No requirement for second lane. 20cms for all other lanes including brake checks, chain ups, or other accessible by vehicle within right of way. 20cms for rest areas, pull outs and parking: minimum 2.5 metre pass length.
• Class E: 25cm of snow: single lane each direction. No requirement for second lane. No requirement for all other lanes including brake checks, chain ups, or other accessible by vehicle within right of way. No requirement for rest areas, pull outs and parking: minimum 2.5 metre pass length.

Restoring Traction

• Grades exceeding 5%, curves with regulatory or warning signs under 60km/h, curves on a hill, school zones, intersections, black ice prone locations, incident prone locations & shady areas.

Once notified or detected:

• Class A: 60 minutes. All other locations 2 hours.
• Class B: 90 minutes. All other locations 3 hours.
• Class C: 2 hours. All other locations 4 hours.
• Class D: 4 hours. All other locations 6 hours.
• Class E: No requirement

• Restoring traction to compact travelled lanes not able to effectively retain winter abrasive

• Class A: 24 hours
• Class B: 24 hours
• Class C: 2 days
• Class D: 5 days
• Class E: No requirement

What This Means for You

If you live on a Class D or E route, it’s critical to prepare for winter driving as these roads may experience higher snow accumulation and slower response times.

Stay Cautious, Be Considerate & Be Safe

AIM Roads crews work 24/7 to keep roads within specification. Please be kind to the hardworking teams ensuring road safety day and night.

For additional tips on winter driving and maintenance, visit:
Winter Highway Maintenance & Safe Driving