News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswickers living on roads with fewer than three residences occupied full time will continue to receive snowplowing as in the past.

"We have consulted with New Brunswickers and have been able to identify efficiencies and streamline operations across the department," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. "The result is that service delivery to the people of New Brunswick will not change on 176 roads in the province. This is good news for many rural communities this coming winter."

The announcement relates only to current in-service roads with fewer than three residences occupied full-time. These roads are being grandfathered.

"We will be contacting these homeowners by registered letter to make sure they are informed that snowplowing on their roads will continue as always," Williams said.

In November 2011, the provincial government announced $4 million in cost-saving measures under the department's winter maintenance program; these measures included no longer plowing roads with fewer than three residences occupied full-time. The change in service, affecting more than 250 households, was to take place in 2012-13.

The department began examining its policies on winter maintenance after an audit revealed snowplowing was being carried out on 567 roads, many of which were not inhabited year-round or heavily used.