Snow and Ice Control

Storm Response

During a snowstorm, Township of Langley crews work around the clock to ensure our roads are safe. More than 500 kilometres of roadway are maintained during snow and ice events. The Township’s Snow and Ice Control policy categorizes roadways as First, Second, or Third Priority Routes.

Similarly, Township crews maintain over 65 kilometres of hard-surface trails, sidewalks, and pathways on park property and 37 park parking lots when conditions warrant. The Township’s Snow and Ice Control – Parks and Trails policy categorizes these locations as First, Second, or Third Priority Routes.

Priority Routes – Roads

First Priority Routes

Major collector roads, arterial roads, school zones, bus routes, and hilly areas.
310 kilometres of roadway
Ongoing service, as long as poor conditions exist

Second Priority Routes

Industrial roads, commercial roads, and secondary through roads in residential areas located between arterial or major collector roads.
196 kilometres of roadway.
Service during regular business hours, with minimal overtime authorized.
Note: If conditions deteriorate on any higher priority route, resources are redirected back to first priority routes.

Third Priority Routes

“Condition-based” service on all remaining residential roads. When snow accumulation exceeds 250 millimetres (10 inches) in the centre of the travel portion of the road, as measured by a Township roads superintendent, a plow may make a single pass.

Service during regular business hours.

Sanding and salting at intersections when conditions warrant.

Note: If conditions deteriorate on any higher priority route, resources will be redirected back to first or second priority routes.

Priority Routes – Pathways and Trails on Park Property

First Priority Routes

Includes high pedestrian traffic, hard-surface trails, sidewalks, and pathways on park property that are main thoroughfares to a school or bus stop.
Hilly areas or known icy conditions.
Maintenance such as salting, sanding, or snow clearing is performed during regular work hours, unless conditions warrant before or after regular work hours.

Second Priority Routes

High pedestrian traffic, hard-surface trails, sidewalks, and pathways on park property that are not main thoroughfares to a school or bus stop.
Maintenance is performed during regular hours only.

Third Priority Routes

All remaining hard-surface trails and park pathways on park property.
Third priority locations are maintained only after first and second priority pathways have been completed.
Third priority work is only performed during regular working hours, and only if conditions warrant and resources are available.

Priority Routes – Parking Lots on Park Property

First Priority Routes

Park parking lots utilized by businesses, organizations, special events, and schools.
Salting and snow clearing is performed during regular work hours, unless conditions warrant before or after regular work hours and, in the case of schools, during instructional days only.

Second Priority Routes

Remaining paved parking lots on park property.
Maintenance is performed during regular hours only.

Third Priority Routes

All gravel-based parking lots on park property.
Third priority locations only have sand applied, and are maintained only after first and second priority locations have been completed.
Third priority work is only performed during normal working hours, and only if conditions warrant and resources are available.

Still have questions?

Visit our snow and ice frequently asked questions.

Watch a video about the the Township's Snow and Ice Control Policy

Watch a video about the road treatment used during snow and ice events

Stay Informed During Severe Events

When a winter storm results in continuous severe conditions for more than two days, obtain updates on regular scheduled response levels by calling:

Storm Response Information Hotline at 604-514-HELP (4357), or the
Engineering Division at 604-532-7300 or 604-533-6006

Or visit: