Winter Safety
Winter road maintenance on Prince Edward Island
Each winter, hundreds of Islanders with the Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, as well as local contractors, work around the clock to keep our roads safe. Their mission is simple: make sure people and goods can move safely, even during unpredictable PEI weather. When the snow falls, everyone is ready to go.
Quick facts
- 4,450 km of roads and highways maintained each winter
- 200+ pieces of equipment ready across the Island
- 125,000 tonnes of sand and 11,500 tonnes of salt stored province-wide
- Salt combats ice; sand improves traction
- Check road conditions anytime through 511, available by phone or website
Keeping roads clear
The Department maintains about 4,450 kilometers of roads and highways each winter. High-traffic routes such as the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) and Veteran’s Memorial Highway (Route 2) are prioritized and receive 24-hour service during a snowfall. Other roads are cleared on a rotating schedule, with most plow routes taking three to four hours to complete.
Beginning in November, staff monitor weather and road conditions around the clock. Plows are dispatched as needed, with service levels adjusted depending on traffic volumes and snowfall.
Safety on the roads
Plows are large, powerful machines that need space to operate. Some now have blue lights to improve visibility. Motorists are asked to slow down, keep a safe distance, and never pass a plow. In extreme weather, equipment may be pulled off the roads if visibility becomes too poor. Crews return as soon as conditions improve, and equipment is only sent out during dangerous conditions in emergencies.
Sand, salt, and road care
Different materials are used depending on the road type:
- Salt is applied on high-traffic highways to control ice.
- Sand is spread on other roads to improve traction.
Not all roads are cleared in winter. Seasonal roads, such as clay or certain gravel roads, aren’t built to withstand heavy equipment. Excess salt is also avoided because it can damage asphalt and affect waterways.
Municipal and private roads
Most municipalities rely on the Province for winter maintenance; Charlottetown and Summerside manage their own roads. Private roads are the responsibility of landowners who can arrange snow removal through local contractors.
No dumping snow on roads
Piling snow or ice on public roads is against the law. It blocks traffic, interferes with road maintenance and can create a safety hazard.
You should not move snow or other material from your driveway, lane, or private property and dump it onto a public road or roadside.
Staying informed
Islanders can check road conditions anytime through 511 by phone or online. Updates include live camera images from six locations across PEI and text reports for major highways. Sign up for alerts by email or text. This video shows how to subscribe and make the most of 511 features.
Reporting road problems
Tell us about issues on our roads by email, phone, or text. Staff will use this information to investigate concerns and dispatch crews as needed.
Report provincial road issues via text message by texting the information, photo and/or video to your county road issues text line.
Kings County (902) 200-2122
Queens County (902) 200-6649
Prince County (902) 200-1014
You can also call-in road issues to (902) 368-5100 or send a note by emailing [email protected]
If you live in the Charlottetown or Summerside area, contact your local municipal public works department at: