Snow and Ice FAQ

The Township of Langley plows, sands and salts roads according to set priority routes. Drivers must keep to a set schedule and are unable to plow “on their way” to the yard.

The driver was returning to the Works Yard to refuel and /or pick up more salt supplies.

Only major collector roads and specific arterial roads are eligible for Priority One route designation . Some school zones, bus routes, and hilly areas may also receive Priority One route consideration.

Snow is piled along road shoulders.

Clearing snow from your sidewalk is not only the neighbourly thing to do, it’s also the law. Residential property owners are required to clear snow from sidewalks  fronting and/or adjacent to (i.e., behind or beside) their property within 24 hours of a snowfall.

All properties in the Township of Langley zoned as industrial, commercial and institutional are required to remove snow and ice daily  from sidewalks and walkways fronting or adjacent to the property by 10:00am.

Snow plow operators try to minimize this inconvenience as much as possible. To help prevent this from occurring, pile the snow onto your yard, or on the right side of your driveway when you are shoveling (your right, when you are facing the road.)

The Township of Langley has several snow and ice equipment machines, including:

• Nine front-mount plows: These plows, along with sanders are attached to existing tandem dump trucks. This allows our operation to make efficient use of our tandem dump truck inventory all year.
• Four front-mount plows: These plows, along with sanders, are attached to existing single-axle trucks.
• Eight articulating plows: These plows are attached to existing single axle trucks. Articulating plows allow trucks to navigate through residential roadways as they can either push or throw snow.
• Two tandem-axle trucks with a belly plow and brine tank
• Seven single-axle trucks with sanders
• Nine single-axle trucks with brine tanks
• Two road graders
• One front-mount plow, attachable to mowing tractor

Consider being a good neighbour and clearing their sidewalks while you do your own - especially if you live near an elderly person or someone with limited mobility. By law, homeowners have 24 hours of the first snowfall accumulation to clear snow from adjacent sidewalks . Residents can report issues with bylaw non-compliance to Township of Langley Bylaw Enforcement at 604-532-7551 or bylaw@tol.ca. Please note complaints will receive response as resources allow.

Call 911. Emergency response agencies will notify the Township if the street requires service.

Consider having a large quantity of salt on hand to apply to the sidewalk fronting your property.

The crews are applying salt brine. Salt brine is a cost-effective, anti-icing measure which prevents snow and ice from bonding to the road. The brine allows for faster and easier snow-plowing.

• Before a storm: When a snow or ice storm is in the forecast, crews apply an anti-icing liquid (salt brine) to First Priority routes. Salt brine reduces the impact of snow or ice bonding to the pavement.
• During a storm: Crews and equipment maintain roadways according to the Township’s priority route system.
• After a storm: Snow and ice clearing will continue according to the priority route system. Lane widening, bus stop anti-icing, and catch basin clearing may also take place after the storm. Residents can help reduce flooding risks by clearing nearby catch basins of snow and ice. This will allow melting snow and slush to drain properly. Remember, as long as cold temperatures persist, expect winter driving conditions to continue.

For updates on garbage cart and recycling collection delays in your area, call our contractor Sierra Waste at 604-530-3939 or visit their blog, which is updated as needed. Learn more about municipal cart collection.

When conditions warrant, crews maintain select parking lots and hard-surface trails, sidewalks, and pathways on municipal park property. The Snow and Ice Control – Parks and Trails policy categorizes these locations as First, Second, or Third Priority Routes. Visit Snow and Ice Control to find more information regarding where, when, and how park trails, sidewalks, pathways, and parking lots are maintained.

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:

• Storm Response 
• Our Twitter feed
• Our Facebook page