Snow removal crews across the mid-Island are ready to deal with wildly varying accumulations of snow, courtesy a storm due to hit Monday. (City of Nanaimo)

By Alex Rawnsley

snow day

‘We’ll have our entire fleet out there:’ snow clearing efforts ready across mid-Island

Feb 3, 2025 | 5:34 AM

NANAIMO — Snowfall across much of central Vancouver Island, which arrived early Monday morning, may be later than normal but it hasn’t come by surprise.

Road maintenance crews have been continually preparing ahead of the year’s first snowfall, ensuring a base layer of brine was continuously applied any time the temperatures dropped near freezing.

City of Nanaimo manager of roads and traffic services David Thompson said a full fleet of trucks outfitted with plows and salters, as well as a brine truck, is available as the situation demands it.

“With a weather system like this, it can change. The temperatures can drop significantly, very quickly, and with the precipitation that we’re seeing, there’s definitely a chance of ice developing slippery sections.”

Thompson said they follow a well-established priority process for clearing area roads.

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“We start with the transit routes, emergency routes, and the major travelling corridors around the city, and we focus on those until any snow accumulation has stopped, and then we’ll move into the residential neighborhoods, our neighborhood collectors.”

Cul-de-sacs and local roadways are last on the priority list.

Thompson told NanaimoNewsNOW having clear access in residential areas is key in swiftly sliding away the snow.

“Having full access to the road makes our jobs a lot easier. We can get in and out a lot quicker, so certainly park in your driveway, in your garage. If we can keep the streets clear of parked cars, that just makes it a lot quicker and then everybody will have mobility returned in a faster fashion.”

He noted City bylaw mandates property owners are required to clear snow on sidewalks in front of their homes or businesses

Mainroad Mid-Island Contracting handle all major highway routes north of Duncan and south of the Comox Valley, including Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet.

General manager Stefan Yancey said they’ve been laying down pre-treatment on area highways as needed for weeks, and were able to get some last-minute sprays over the weekend.

A minimum of 26 vehicles will be out on the roads, along with sub-contractors handling smaller areas.

“We’ll have our entire fleet out there. Usually what happens before we’re prepping a week or so before, while we’re watching the forecast to make sure all of our equipment is ready to go and all the equipment for loading the winter materials is all staged and ready to go as well.”

Once flurries start flying, road units change from spraying brine to laying a special winter sand mix, which doesn’t necessarily help melt the snow but does provide traction in slick conditions.

Yancey added they move through a vast area with a methodical approach, beginning with main highways.

“We prioritize those first until the storm sort of stops, and then once that storm stops and we take care of the highways, then we move out to the more outlying areas, the more rural areas, the subdivision roads.”

Yancey said those without proper tires shouldn’t drive in these conditions, and those who do head out should take extra caution and be prepared should their vehicle become stuck.

— with files from Ian Holmes

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