Surrey, B.C. – As winter approaches, the City of Surrey is taking proactive measures to ensure effective snow and ice management during the upcoming 2024/2025 winter season. The City is well-prepared with an allocated budget of $4.61 million, 17,000 tonnes of salt, and a fleet of 77 specialized snow-clearing vehicles. In contrast to some municipalities in the region, the City has not experienced a shortage of road salt since increasing its storage capacity in 2010. This large storage capacity safeguards the City against intermittent harsh winters.
“The safety of our residents is our top priority as we head into winter,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “With our robust resources and strategies in place, we are well-equipped to maintain safe and accessible roads for everyone in our community. I commend our incredible snow removal crew for their dedication to keeping our priority routes clear during snow and ice events this season.”
The City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy focuses on the timely clearing of 4,000 lane kilometers of priority roads, including arterial roads, steep hills, and routes near schools and care centers.
Snow-clearing crews also operate 16 brine units, mounted on city trucks, to apply a brine solution to major routes before forecasted snow or ice. This treatment dries on the surface, allowing the residual salt to activate when snow begins to fall or frost forms, effectively reducing snow and ice accumulation. Using brine gives crews an increased window of time to mobilize regular snow and ice services and provide enhanced coverage when heavier snow events occur.
With predictions of La Nina conditions potentially bringing increased precipitation this winter, the City is well-equipped to tackle adverse weather. City staff are actively coordinating with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and TransLink to ensure effective maintenance of provincial highways and major transit routes.