WHEREAS the Ministry of Transportation road classification systems for winter and summer maintenance determine the allocation of resources to road maintenance in BC; AND WHEREAS these classification systems result in lower levels of service on the roads and highways of northern British Columbia where traffic volumes do not meet the thresholds needed for high classification: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities write the Minister of Transportation seeking a review of the road maintenance classification system to ensure all BC roads receive adequate levels of service to satisfy the safety and economic development requirements of each region.
Ministry of Transportation Road repair and maintenance scheduling in British Columbia is based on the understanding that roads should be repaired on an as-needed basis. This system provides an effective road network at a minimum burden to the taxpayer. The road maintenance schedules are based on the Highway Classification system, a formula based on several factors that affect the road surface and the importance of that road to the communities it services. By far, the most important factors considered in the classification of a road are the volume of traffic high volumes break down the road surface quickly and type of vehicles on the road a high percentage of large commercial vehicles can also break down a road surface more quickly. Other factors considered include width, road type and whether the road is a designated route for emergency vehicles or school buses. Maintenance is carried out by contracted road maintenance agencies that operate under strict guidelines to keep roads passable and in good condition. These guidelines are enforced using mechanisms that range from bonuses for above-average work to contract hold-backs and interventions for unacceptable maintenance. Within these guidelines anything affecting road access, such as snowfall or a rock slide, is given highest priority. Much of the winter maintenance program is based on road access considerations. Summer maintenance of the roads is generally focused on repairing or improving existing road surfaces. Across the Province, regular summer repair schedules of paved roads are generally based on surface deficiencies, and the road classification. Gravel road maintenance is based on the need to maintain an intact and safe gravel surface. Regrading is done when necessary to maintain that surface, but avoided when unnecessary to protect the condition of the underlying roadbed. If a local community feels that the amount or type of traffic on a road has changed, or feels that maintenance of a road is not being performed properly, they are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Transportation, District Transportation Manager to request a review of the situation.