A winter ecoroad is a road that is maintained in an alternative manner to reduce the impact of road salts on the environment. Using this technique, the roadway is scraped more often and abrasives such as sand and small stones are used. Ecoroads make it possible to combine sustainable development and safe travel.
Example of a winter ecoroad
Road Safety is Prioritized
Prior to developing an ecoroad, the following aspects are taken into consideration to ensure that it is safe:
Overall route;
Type of traffic (local or transit);
Presence of sharp curves or steep slopes;
Posted speed limit;
Established level of service in winter;
Number of traffic lanes;
Number of intersections and their configuration;
Number of accesses;
Average daily traffic flow and vehicle types;
Accident statistics.
Municipal Endorsement
Before a winter ecoroad can be established, the support of the community and municipal authorities is essential.
Impact of Road Salt on Fragile Areas
Winter ecoroads are used, first and foremost, to reduce the environmental impacts of road salts, particularly on the fragile areas presented below.
Drinking Water Source
Applying road salts near a source of drinking water (surface water or groundwater) can increase the concentration of chloride and even make the water unusable. For a groundwater recharge area, the presence of road salts can greatly increase the concentration of chloride, to the point of presenting risks of serious or irreversible damage to the environment.
Wetland, such as a Bog, Marsh or Swamp
In a wet environment, the presence of road salts can greatly increase the concentration of chloride, to the point of presenting risks of serious or irreversible damage to the environment.
Aquatic Environment
The presence of road salts in water bodies could significantly increase the concentration of chloride, to the point of presenting risks of serious or irreversible damage to the environment. These water bodies include:
Small lakes of medium depth or characterized by a low-dilution capacity and a long residence time of the introduced substances;
Waterways suffering from the cumulative effects of dense road networks;
Areas where the introduction of road salts could harm fish or degrade fish habitat, including ditches and intermittent streams.
Animal or Plant Habitat
The presence of road salts in these areas can affect the integrity of a species’ life cycle (migratory stopovers, amphibian breeding sites, etc.). It can also degrade habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a plant or wildlife species that is listed as threatened or vulnerable in Québec and is considered essential to the recovery or conservation plan of that species.
Land of Interest
Areas bordering native or agricultural vegetation sensitive to road salts are also vulnerable. This sensitivity is also present in areas adjacent to vegetation established or retained for special purposes (windbreaks, noise barriers, etc.).
Last update: March 20, 2024
