Ditch Mowing

The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure reminds producers that hay is available for salvage at no cost in provincial highway ditches.

Before July 8, hay can be cut and baled in ditches by the adjacent landowner. After July 8, this hay can be recovered by anyone without the permission of the adjacent landowner, provided salvage operations haven’t begun.

Hay will need to be cut at a uniform height in the ditches and bales must be placed no less than eight metres away from the shoulder of the highway.  All hay bales need to be removed by Aug. 8 and if any are left in a location deemed to be dangerous to motorists after that date, they may be removed by the Ministry.

The Ministry is once again planning an early mowing program between June 7 and July 15 along heavily-travelled roads. Ministry contractors will mow a four-metre-wide swath along shoulders adjacent to Highways 1, 7, 11, 16 and 39, along with portions of Highways 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 55. During this time, mowing may also be completed near some highway intersections and interchanges, railway crossings and tourism facilities.

The annual mowing program helps control brush and weeds, which maintains sightlines for motorists on curves and intersections. The program also optimizes snow storage in ditches and will reduce drifting on the road surface during the snowy winter months.

Contractors will conduct regular ditch mowing, cutting the width along all four-lane highways between July 15 and the fall months. The four-metre-wide strip will be mowed adjacent to the other highways with additional mowing possible as required for visibility and weed control. Weather and ditch conditions are key factors in hay salvage and the progress of contracted mowers.

For more information, contact your nearest Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure office at (306) 787-4911 or emailmailto:[email protected]