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Roadway Management Plan
Latest revision: October
2018
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction................................................................................... 04
2.0 Objective......................................................................................... 05
3.0 Policy Statement............................................................................... 06
4.0 Current Winter Maintenance Program..................................................... 07
4.01 The System Maintained...................................................................... 07
4.02 Level of Service Policy.................................................................. 07
4.03 Winter Patrol............................................................................ 07
4.04 Winter Material......................................................................... 08
4.05 Yard Facilities........................................................................... 09
4.06 Snow Removal and Disposal........................................................ 10
4.07 Communications...................................................................... 10
4.08 Training................................................................................. 10
4.09 Weather Monitoring.................................................................. 11
4.10 Record Keeping.........................................................................12
5.0 Salt Management Goals....................................................................... 12
5.01 LOS (Level of Service) Policy...................................................... 12
5.02 Training................................................................................. 12
5.03 Salt/Sand Storage..................................................................... 13
5.04 Record Keeping......................................................................... 13
5.05 Emergency Response Program.......................................................... 13
5.06 Sand/Salt Mix Ratio.................................................................. 13
5.07 Spreader Calibration.................................................................. 13
5.08 Good Housekeeping Practices...................................................... 13
5.09 IRT's (Infrared thermometer)........................................................ 14
5.10 Electronic Spreader Controls........................................................ 14
5.11 Salt Management Plan Review Program............................................. 14
6.0 Conclusion..................................................................................... 14
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LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A - Road Patrol SOP and Documentation
Appendix B - Weather Monitoring SOP and Documentation
Appendix C - Grader and Loader Operator Snow Removal Schedule
Appendix D - Sidewalk Snow Removal Schedule
Appendix E - Regulation 239 / 02 and Traffic Count Data
Appendix F - Road Salt Application Schedule
Appendix G - Groundwater Flow Patterns
Appendix H - Road Salt Data
Appendix I - 1 Ton c/w Plow and Snowblower Schedule
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1. Introduction
In August 2000, Environment Canada concluded a five year scientific assessment on road
salt (sodium chloride). The Environment Canada report concluded that sufficient
concentrations of road salt pose risks to plants, animals, water bodies, and groundwater.
The Environment Canada report recommended that salt be designated as a toxic substance
under the Canadian Environment Protection Act (CEPA). Although, Environment Canada
has stated that although road salts were designated as CEPA toxic, they would not ban road
salt but rather have users/municipalities be encouraged to develop a management strategy
to reduce the amount used and implement alternatives. An outline of measures for a road
salt risk management strategy was subsequently developed. The strategy culminated in the
Syntheses of Best Practices for Road Salt Management which was developed by
Transportation Association of Canada (TAC).
The Government of Canada on April 3, 2004 published a Code of Practice for the
Environment Management of road salts. The Code of Practice was developed in
consultation with a multi-stakeholder working group for road salts. The Code is intended
to help municipalities and other road authorities by better optimizing the use of road salts
while reducing the impacts of salt to the environment and preserving road safety.
Road authorities that use more than five hundred tonne of road salt in a winter season and
that have vulnerable areas in their region will have to prepare and implement a salt
management plan. The management plan shall cover all activities which may result in
release of road salts to the environment, such as salt storage, application of salt on roads,
and the disposal of snow containing road salts.
The report from Environment Canada led to ongoing research into the use of salt
alternatives. The alternatives to road salt in some cases are more effective or less harmful
to the environment. The costs of these alternatives regrettably are too expensive except for
limited use in sensitive or high risk areas. Road salt continues to be the most cost effective
deicer across Canada. Many salt management plans require that new technologies be
investigated and trials conducted on any promising new development.
Salt management plans are designed to minimize the amount of salt entering the
environment by including best salt handling practices and using new technologies to ensure
it is the most effective solution for the road system. While Marathon is consistently under
the 500t reporting threshold, this plan is implemented as a proactive measure that ensures
proper use of salts as an environmental responsibility.
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2. Objective
The purpose of the Town of Marathon's salt management plan is to set procedures aimed
to ensure a safe, efficient and cost-effective roadway management system. The Town of
Marathon will optimize the use of winter maintenance material containing chlorides on all
municipal roads while striving to minimize negative impacts to the environment. Town of
Marathon Works & Operations staff will strive to provide safe winter road conditions for
vehicular and pedestrian traffic as set out in the level of service policies and within the
resources established by council.
As part of the salt management design itself will take in to account the best management
practices used in today' s industry, most of the influence would be provided by
Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) Syntheses of Best Practices - Road Salt
Management. These practices are established to provide effective and measurable
techniques for snow and ice control while minimizing road salt effecting the environment.
As the salt management plan is influenced by best management practices the plan will
always be evolving, as new technologies and ideas develop, the salt management plan will
change to incorporate these ideas. The plan will set out guidelines for continually
improving our methods for keeping the road safe and lower road salt use. The plan will
also provide a benchmark from which we can monitor our progress.
Best management practices have focused on the following three objectives:
1. Salt Storage: The objective is the prevention or control of releases from existing and
new sites. In pursuing this objective, the following practices should be considered:
coverage of salt piles and blended salt-sand piles, handling practices that avoid
uncontrolled releases, drainage management, wash water collection and treatment, training
of personnel, and monitoring of the effectiveness of the facility.
Town of Marathon's Position: Our existing salt shed is a 9m long x 6m wide concrete
slab and half walls protected from the elements by wood framed upper walls and metal
roof. We attempt to minimize the volume stored during the summer months in order
to further reduce exposure. Our salt-sand pile is stored in a 24m long x 19m wide x 9m
high fabric dome sheltered from precipitation. By protecting the sand/salt mix stock
from the weather we are also able to mix a lower ratio of 95%-5% since precipitation
cannot dilute the mixture. Typical full inventory is approx. 1300t-1500t.
2. Snow Disposal: The objective is the control of releases from existing and new sites. In
pursuing this objective, the following practices should be considered: location and
construction of the sites to take into account operational and environmental factors,
drainage management, training of personnel and monitoring of the effectiveness of the
facility.
Town of Marathon's Position: Snow disposal locations (old driving range, gravel pit
behind the water reservoir, in front of the mill property, trailer park, end of Hemlo
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Drive) have been selected based on their distance away from our drinking wells,
streams and lakes.
3. Salt Application: The objective is the reduction of the negative impacts of road salts by
delivering the right amount of road salts in the right place at the right time. In pursuing this
objective, consideration should be given to using the most recent advancements in the
application of winter maintenance anti-icing and de-icing materials, winter maintenance
equipment, and road weather information and other decision support systems. As well, the
training of personnel and the monitoring of the effectiveness of road salt application
techniques should be considered. Surface pre-wetting is not a procedure used in Marathon
due to the lack of around the clock patrol and response.
Town of Marathon's Position: In 2018 we purchased a new sander which now tracks
our salt and sand salt application. Our aim is to apply the proper amount of grip control
materials to ensure vehicle safety while eliminating waste.
Regardless of whether salt is labeled toxic, the groundwater study done by Harden
Environmental in 2002 (updated in June, 2009) reported that the town's groundwater is
vulnerable to any contaminations, road salt being one of them. Implementing this salt
management plan as part of the Roadway Management Plan would exhibit the ongoing
protection of Marathon's valuable groundwater resource and meets the Federal
Government incentive of reducing road salt that enters into the environment and receiving
waterways.
While the goal in mind is to minimize effects of road salt on the environment through an
effective winter maintenance program, the most important concern in the salt management
plan is still not to compromise the safety of the motoring public.
3. Policy Statement
The Town of Marathon will provide efficient and effective winter maintenance to ensure
the safety of users of the municipal road network in keeping with applicable provincial
legislation and accepted standards while striving to minimize adverse impacts to the
environment. These commitments will be met by:
adhering to the procedure contained within the salt management plan
reviewing and upgrading the salt management plan on a regular basis to
incorporate new technologies and new developments
committing to ongoing winter maintenance, staff training and education
monitoring on a regular basis, the present conditions of the winter maintenance
program, as well as the effectiveness of the salt management plan
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4. Current Winter Maintenance Program
4.01 The System Maintained
The major activities related to winter maintenance are (please refer to Appendix E and F):
street plowing
parking lot plowing
lane plowing
sidewalk plowing
snow storage
snow removal
salt spreading
salt/sand spreading
The Town of Marathon is responsible for the maintenance in winter of approximately 86
lane km of roadway.
4.02 Level of Service Policy
The level of service policy for the Town of Marathon currently meets or exceeds the
Minimum Maintenance Standards specified in the Ontario Regulation 239/02 (please refer
to Appendix E for details), Municipal Act, 2001, for snow accumulation and icy roads.
Bare pavement within 24 hours of response is the goal for class 3 roads. Bare is defined as
bare to center bare or track bare. Bare to snow packed with grip control applied is the goal
for class 4, 5, 6 roads and back lanes within 48 hours of response.
The code of practice for the environmental management of road salts, under the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act, 1999 recommends that the salt management plan follows
the Transportation Association of Canada syntheses of best practices for road salt
management.
4.03 Winter Patrol
To meet and exceed the minimum maintenance standards, the Town of Marathon carries
out winter patrol in two different ways:
1. Every weekday during the winter season a town employee performs a 4 am morning
road patrol and then attends to snow removal activities as required. If a call-out of
additional staff is required, the call-out is made to employees by means of a callout
priority list.
2. Monitoring of road conditions is provided 3 times per day/7 days per week along
with the ongoing constant patrol by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). During
regular business hours road conditions are monitored by the Works and Operations
Department. It is the Works & Operation's Supervisor's responsibility to assemble
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staff for maintenance. After hours the on-call manager is responsible for an
additional patrol and to call in staff if maintenance is necessary. During the
weekends the on-call personnel patrol the main streets within town three times per
day, giving special attention to main access egress roads and representative
intersections/locations (i.e. Peninsula Road @ Hemlo, Peninsula @ Hwy 17,
Peninsula @ Cemetery, Hemlo @ Barrick, Hemlo @ Michano). Operator's
response time goal is 15 minutes during business hours and 30 minutes after hours.
3. The Town of Marathon has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for
Road Patrol (Appendix A). Road Patrols during winter ensure the detection of
deteriorating driving conditions and to standardize documentation.
4.04 Winter Material
1. Sand
The Town of Marathon currently uses 100% sand application only at the airport.
2. Road Sand/Salt
Sand is purchased locally from Lafarge and delivered to the Works and Operations
yard. Each year before snow arrives we stockpile all of our sand/salt mix needs in
the aggregate dome at the Works & Operations yard (approximately 1300-1500
tonne). The Town of Marathon uses primarily a sand /salt mix with an approximate
ratio of 5 % salt and 95 % sand for grip control on the roads and sidewalks. Salt is
necessary to prevent the sand from freezing and hardening, which makes sander
loading and dispensing difficult.
3. Road Salt
The following table indicates the amount of grip control materials purchased during
each indicated winter season. In subsequent years applied tonnage will be tracked
accurately via on board equipment in the sander.
Winter Season
Road Salt (tonne)
Sand (tonne)
2018 - 2019 Season (Purchased)
87.95
896.69
2017 - 2018 Season (Purchased)
442.66
913.65
2016 - 2017 Season (Purchased)
318.23
641.12
2015 - 2016 Season (Purchased)
404.66
1256.81
2014 - 2015 Season (Purchased)
353.95
1394.99
2013 - 2014 Season (Purchased)
438.94
1353.51
Note: chart is updated as of October, 2018
The road salt application schedule is shown in Appendix F.
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4.05 Yard Facilities
The municipality has one patrol yard from which it dispatched equipment for winter
maintenance, which is the Works & Operation's yard located at 2 Penn Lake Road.
1. Equipment and Technologies
The Town of Marathon current fleet used for snow maintenance consists of:
2006 John Deere 444 Loader, with angle blade or snow bucket (Town)
2014 John Deere 524 Loader, with snow bucket (Town)
1997 John Deere 544 Loader with attachments (blade and blower) (Airport)
2016 Trackless Machine with snow blower attachment (Town)
2010 Trackless Machine with plow and dump body attachment (Town)
2018 Western Star Sander (Town)
2017 John Deere 770 Grader (Town)
2000 Champion Road Grader (Town)
1998 International plow/sander (Airport)
Sand spreader mounted in a trailer (Airport)
2017 410 John Deere Backhoe (used as a spare)
1990 John Deere 644 Loader, with snow bucket (WTS)
1 ton equipped with a V plow and carries a snow blower (Town)
2. Sand and Salt Storage
The Town of Marathon has been storing road salt at the Public Works yard in a small
garage with a concrete floor. Our salt-sand pile is stored in a fabric dome sheltered from
precipitation. By protecting the sand/salt mix stock from the weather we are also able
to mix a smaller ratio of 95%-5% since precipitation cannot dilute the mixture.
3. Wastewater
Town of Marathon does not have any specialized wash bays, therefore most of the
wastewater from vehicle & equipment washing, including any salt-laden runoff is
directed to the nearest storm basin.
Chlorides found in wastewater are not treated to any significant extent by
conventional methods of wastewater treatment plants and directing wash water to
the sanitary sewer only relocates the problem. However, a reduction of salt usage
should mean less salt being washed from vehicles. Other ways to minimize salt
waste:
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Any outside pile of material containing chloride (salt) should be covered from
the elements and be stored on top of impermeable material (ex. concrete pad
or asphalt pad) Salt deliveries are promptly pushed into the shed to prevent
prolonged exposure to the elements.
Development of good housekeeping skill at the Works and Operation yard
Washing of equipment is directed through an oil/grit separator prior to
discharge to a storm water ditch.
The placement of drainage at a tactical location at the works and operation site
will also be investigated when the garage is rebuilt in its new location.
4.06 Snow Removal and Disposal
Currently, municipal staff removes and hauls snow to the nearest available town owned
properties when accumulation of piled snow impedes traffic. Some snow dumping
locations include old driving range, gravel pit behind the water reservoir, in front of the
mill property, trailer park, end of Hemlo Drive etc. Also, the restriction of snow dumping
within 100 meters of municipal wells is in practice as recommended by Harden
Environmental. The exception would be where snow is piled on pavement that would direct
runoff to nearby storm drains 100 m away from the well (Well #6).
There is currently no practical or economical way of removing chlorides, including those
found in snow. Therefore protection of the town's groundwater is very important; one
recommendation offered by Harden Environmental is to review snow dumping from all
capture zones and remove from 2 years' "time of travel" (TOT) zone if possible. Please
refer to Appendix G for further details on the ground water flow patterns.
4.07 Communications
All winter maintenance vehicles are equipped with two way radios for communications,
and municipal staff are responsible for reporting changing winter weather and/or road
conditions.
Communication is maintained 24 hours/7 days a week, during regular business hours the
Town of Marathon offices serves as the main hub for in/outgoing calls from staff,
emergency services and the general public. After hours, the on-call manager is responsible
for all communication.
External communication with the general public ranges from media press releases by radio,
community television, and newspaper by the Town of Marathon regarding winter
maintenance services and issues.
4.08 Training
Currently the Town of Marathon winter maintenance staff, handle winter situations on a
day to day basis, relying on past experience and training. Specific equipment knowledge is
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imparted from senior to junior operators and operators are signed off when component task
efficiency is achieved.
Training programs by outside sources are commissioned when practical. Certified
training has taken place for grader operations, dump truck operations and other courses
will be booked when available.
Training should be specific, learning goals should include the following:
Salt management plan
Principles of ice formation
Science of freeze point depressants
Road salt usage
Plowing techniques
Environmental Protection
Maintenance Yards
Spreader controls and calibrations
Drift control
Weather forecasts and decision-making
Pavement temperatures
Record keeping
Snow removal equipment
Snow disposal
5-R's Salt Management: right material, right amount, right time, right place, right
person
Any current training that can be provided would be worthwhile, ensuring that personnel
are competent to carry out their duties and are aware of the environmental impacts of road
salts.
4.09 Weather Monitoring
The Town of Marathon supplements road patrol information to determine an effective
winter storm response and allocation of resources with observations and past experience
from municipal staff. In addition, winter maintenance employees monitor websites (The
Weather Network) for weather forecasting. The Works & Operations Supervisor will
review the weather forecast on weekdays at 7am and again near end of shift, based on
this and the existing conditions at the time will assign additional staff to snow removal
duties. On weekends the weather forecast is reviewed by the On-Call manager, as well
the representative roads/intersections are checked three times per day.
-Peninsula Road @ Hemlo,
-Peninsula @ Hwy 17,
-Peninsula @ Cemetery,
-Hemlo @ Barrick,
-Hemlo @ Michano).
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The Town of Marathon has developed an SOP for Weather Monitoring see appendix B
and associated forms for consistent documentation
4.10 Record Keeping
The municipality retains records for the purchase of salt and sand for use in winter
maintenance. Currently, records are also kept for application rates, plow or spreader routes,
etc.
The development of a record keeping/assessment system to maintain an annual log that
contains total quantities of sand and salt usage along with weather data reports from
environment Canada. Shift reports shall comprise of the following:
areas maintained
material used (sand and/or salt)
quantities of material used
specified operator
shift hours
pavement and air temperature (when applicable)
weather events (type, start, finish)
video documentation via dash camera where available
5. Salt Management Goals
One of the primary goals of a salt management plan is still to provide safe transportation
while striving to reduce the amount of salt being used in order to protect the environment.
To identify sensitive areas affected by salt and find less harmful alternatives to further
reduce their harm.
The following summarizes the goals of essential practices and strategies contained in the
Salt Management Plan.
5.01 LOS (Level of Service) Policy
Review the LOS policy on a regular basis to determine if any improvements can
be made. Compare to other similar road authorities and the minimum maintenance
standard when required.
Train and inform staff, management and the public on the intentions and
expectations in service delivery.
Monitor and report on compliance with LOS policy annually.
5.02 Training (Ongoing)
Update the winter maintenance employees with the latest training for winter
maintenance activities.
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Training should incorporate salt management principles in accordance with TAC's
Salt Management Synthesis of Best Practices for Training.
Training should be provided in the fall of each year to all staff involved in winter
maintenance operations.
Ongoing training and improved technologies will be investigated and
implemented to ensure an effective management of road salt.
5.03 Salt/Sand Storage
Sand/Salt Mix storage in the fabric dome is adequate for one entire winter season.
We have a capacity to store 1300-1500 tonne. Salt is stored in a smaller shed on a
concrete floor. We have a capacity to store 80 tonnes
5.04 Record Keeping (To Be Completed)
Establish and maintain a standardized record keeping system.
Records of sand & salt material delivery and end of season material left over will
be tracked for year-end audit of bulk material use.
Development of reporting and summarize storm or "event" responses (including a
definition of an event) by equipment.
Training records are maintained by the Human Resources Dept. and be reviewed
annually by the Works & Operations Manager.
5.05 Emergency Response Program
When salt inventory reaches a low level, the emergency response is in place to
acquire the extra material. In the event that primary supplier fails to perform or if
the purchase quantities exceed the contract limit, or if winter material runs out and
the primary supplier cannot supply material at an appropriate delivery time we
will seek alternative sources from other suppliers.
5.06 Sand/Salt Mix Ratio
Lowering the salt and sand mix ratio to approximately 5% by volume where
possible.
5.07 Spreader Calibration
A development of a calibration procedure. An SOP will be appended to the next
revision of this plan.
Standardized spreader rates for salt and sand / salt will have been developed, the
rates are as follows;
o Salt settings have a range between 170 and 100 kg/km (170,150,130 and
100).
o Sand / Salt settings have a range between 600 and 300 kg/km
(600,570,500,400,350,300 and 250).
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All spreader(s) will be properly calibrated after monthly readings are taken.
5.08 Good Housekeeping Practices
Develop and implement a good housekeeping policy.
Include a contamination section in the good housekeeping policy.
Provide annual training on good housekeeping practices.
5.09 IRT's (Infrared Thermometer)
At least one patrol/supervisor truck should have a truck mounted IRT installed.
Provide annual training on the use of the IRT.
Develop and implement a record-keeping program for the data supplied by the
IRT, for future analysis purpose.
5.10 Electronic Spreader Controls
100 % of equipment used to spread material shall have the groundspeed regulated
by electronic controllers with print out or download capability.
Develop and implement a record-keeping program for the data supplied by the
electronic controller, for future analysis purpose.
5.11 Salt Management Plan Review Program
Tracking the performance of the required objectives and goals identified in the
winter maintenance control program and the salt management plan will be
ongoing to ensure roads are properly maintained and safe for the public while
being committed to the reduction of road salt.
Ensure the most recent technologies are studied, reviewed, tested and adopted
when it's appropriate and financially feasible.
Participate in conference and forums geared to the development of road salt best
management practices.
6. Conclusion
The Roadway Management & Salt Management Plan is a continuous improvement
document and should be incremental and ongoing. Monitoring and reviewing the Town of
Marathon's technology needs and salt management strategies will be required to achieve
continued safety for road users and the protection of the environment.
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APPENDIX A
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APPENDIX B
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APPENDIX C
Works and Operations
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Priority List for Plowing and Sanding
When dispatched to plow or sand, the main streets is prioritized in the following list
followed by the side streets.
Grader One
1. Peninsula Road in it's entirety
2. Industrial Road
3. Stevens Ave
4. Yawkey
5. Abrams
6. Gilbert
7. McLeod
8. McCollough
9. Drake
10. King
11. Ross
12. Armour
13. Brown
14. Jones
15. Stewart
16. Howe
17. Bissell
18. Woodson
19. winton
Grader Two
1. Penn Lake Rd
2. Chisholm Trail
3. Barrick Gold
4. Hemlo in it's entirety
5. Steedman to Birch
6. Birch to Sund Cres
7. Sund cres from Birch to Peninsula
Rd
8. Aspendale
9. Spruce
10. Steedman
11. Lloyd Irwin
12. McFarland
13. Griggs
14. Nicolet
15. Van Horne
16. Poplar
17. Laurier
18. Laverendrye
19. Nugget
20. Raddison
21. Graham
22. Michano
23. Graham
24. Bastedo
25. Jackson
26. Coveney
27. Wildwood Trail
28. Cedar
29. Godfrey
30. Gullwing
31. Pinewood Walk
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Works and Operations
Priority List for Loaders
When dispatched to Clear Snow, the following list illustrates the priority.
Loader One
20. Town Hall Parking
21. Police and Fire Hall
22. Stewart Back Lane
23. Howe St Back Lane
24. Bissell Back Lane
25. Pump house 3 and CPR walkway
26. CPR West emergency crossing
27. CPR west walkway at Stewart
28. End of Birch
29. End of Michano
30. Pump house 5
31. CPR east walkway
32. CPR East emergency crossing
33. End of Hemlo
34. Penn Lake Reservoir
Loader Two
32. Library/Clinic
33. Arena
34. Ross Back Lane
35. Yawkey Back lane
36. King back lane
37. Abrams Lane
38. McCullough back lane
39. McCullough lift station
40. McLeod back lane
41. Lakeview
42. Lookout parking
43. Museum
44. Pumphouse 6
45. End of Steedman
46. CPR East walkway Sund
47. Pump house 4
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APPENDIX D
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APPENDIX E
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APPENDIX F
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APPENDIX G
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APPENDIX H
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APPENDIX I