The 270 road maintenance employees of the General Directorate of Mobility and Roads (DGMR) as well as the Intercantonal Motorway Network Maintenance Service (SIERA) work to ensure the passability of Vaud’s cantonal and national roads for the safety of users. As winter approaches, the DGMR and SIERA emphasize that optimal traffic conditions cannot always be ensured in the event of snow or ice. It is therefore essential that everyone adjusts their driving according to the observed or probable road conditions and equips their vehicle in accordance with the safety rules in force.
On the motorway network, winter service will be provided 24 hours a day, the viability of the roadway depending on weather conditions. On cantonal roads, efforts will be concentrated to guarantee the passability of the main network from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the secondary network from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. After 10 p.m., salting and snow removal operations will only be carried out in special circumstances, such as heavy snowfall, freezing rain or other weather phenomena likely to pose a serious danger to motorists.
Like every year, certain sections of road will not be cleared of snow. These are the subject of an official publication and can also be consulted online (www.vd.ch/routes-sans-deneigement) (see list below). In the event of snowdrifts, in particular, certain secondary roads may also be temporarily closed, in order to be able to concentrate resources on the busiest or least exposed routes.
It is important to remember that road safety in winter does not rely solely on road conditions. Users must adjust their driving according to local conditions and adapt their movements to the circumstances. Proper vehicle equipment is also strongly recommended.
Drivers are invited to exercise increased vigilance during the start and end of the winter season. Early in the season, the sudden onset of frost, often caused by freezing rain or freezing fog, cannot always be anticipated by maintenance crews. It is not possible to carry out preventive salting across the entire network to counter local events. At the end of the season, isolated showers can make some roads slippery. It is therefore essential to adapt your speed in the event of unfavorable weather conditions.
Those responsible for maintenance will take the necessary measures to guarantee winter service that meets the expectations of users while respecting the environment and taking into account available resources. Snow salt stocks were replenished during the summer and state depots are currently filled to maximum capacity. The spreaders mounted on the trucks have been tested to minimize the quantity of road salt used. On cantonal roads, snow removal operations are entrusted to private companies, under the supervision of the Canton.
Section of road closed to traffic
In the North of Vaud, the cantonal road (RC) 260-IL-S, from Mauborget (RC 259-CS crossroads) to the Neuchâtel border, not including the “Vers-chez-Pillot” section, will not be cleared of snow. This road will be closed to traffic depending on winter conditions. This provision may be adapted depending on changing weather conditions.
Sections not cleared of snow
The following sections of road will not be cleared of snow, nor treated with anti-slip or thawing products:
- RC 61-IL-S, from Saint-Livres (La Sapinière) to Ballens
- RC 158-IL-S, from Juriens (snow removal ensured up to point 762 of the CN 1: 25,000) at junction RC 163-IL-S, at a place called “Sapin de Croy”
- RC 163-IL-S, from RC 158-IL-S at a place called “Sapin de Croy” in Moiry
- RC 163-IL-S, from Pampigny (snow removal ensured until the start of Chemin du Chauderon) to RC 166-BP L’Isle-Chavannes-le-Veyron via Mauraz
- RC 546-IL-S, from Montaubion (crossroads RC 545-CS) to Chapelle-sur-Moudon.
Press release November 18, 2024
Swiss
