Transportation and Works
February 26, 2016
Enhancing the Safety of Roadways
Maintenance Crews at Work to Address Road and Highway Repairs
Employees from maintenance depots across the province are working diligently to address winter and spring highway and road maintenance needs. Maintenance crews actively monitor approximately 10,000 kilometres of primary and secondary highways and community access roads, while undertaking snow clearing, salting and sanding, as well as pothole, pavement and washout repairs.
�The safety of our roads and highways is of primary importance as our crews undertake important maintenance work which is particularly challenging at this time of year due to regular freezing and thawing. Every effort is made to address issues as quickly as possible and we must all be mindful of our own personal safety, as well as the safety of Transportation and Works staff conducting maintenance work.�
- The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works
Potholes in particular tend to develop more frequently this time of year due to the recurrent freezing and thawing of roadways. Weather conditions have already caused a number of major potholes to develop this season. As warmer temperatures approach, crews are doing temporary repairs on potholes that are observed until weather conditions allow for more permanent repairs. When a pothole develops, it is inspected and prioritized by staff. In urgent cases, crews complete temporary repairs as soon as possible or mark potholes with signage until repairs can be made.
The Department of Transportation and Works appreciates the cooperation of motorists as maintenance crews work to address issues that arise throughout the province. Motorists are asked to drive with care, paying close attention to speed and to their environment. Distracted drivers can negatively impact the success of road maintenance operations and can create dangerous driving conditions for everyone on the road.
Regular updates about driving conditions, as well as links to live highway cameras can be found online at www.roads.gov.nl.ca. The department also utilizes Twitter (www.twitter.com/TW_GovNL 
) to post important notices and road updates.
Motorists can report driving conditions to the Department of Transportation and Works regional dispatch offices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the winter season at the following telephone numbers:
| 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 |
For more information about the Department of Transportation and Works, please visit //www.tw.gov.nl.ca.
QUICK FACTS
- Employees from maintenance depots across the province are working diligently to address winter and spring highway and road maintenance needs.
- The Department of Transportation and Works appreciates the cooperation of motorists as maintenance crews work to address issues that arise throughout the province.
- Motorists are asked to drive with care, paying close attention to speed and to their environment.
- Regular updates about driving conditions, as well as links to live highway cameras can be found online at www.roads.gov.nl.ca.
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Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 689-2624
Jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
2016 02 26 11:35 a.m.