Fines for MTO winter road maintenance contractors top $650K

Between August 2013 and February 2014, the provincial government issued $656,750 total in fines to four different winter highway maintenance contractors in northeastern Ontario.

In January, CBC News learned the Ministry of Transportation had issued the fines,but details about when the fines were issued, what they were for,and the amounts werenot disclosed.

CBC News has learned those detailsthrough a Freedom of Information request, which covers a period betweenAugust 2013 to February of this year.

In the Sudbury area, DeAngelo Brothers Ltd. was given 38 fines totalling $392,750.

According to the documents, the fines are for a number of infractions, including $72,000 for not deploying equipment within 30 minutes after the start of a winter storm.

Other fines included $8,000 for not putting out winter equipment after 2 cmof snow or slush was present on the road.

The information states when an infraction is noted, an initial consequence fine is issued, and subsequent fines can be added,the longer ittakes for the problemto be rectified.

More fines related to deployment

Transfield Services Ltd., which does work in the North Bay area, was issued $155,000 in fines.

Those infractions included a $16,000 fine for concerns with deploying salting operations, to $1,000 for not completing paperwork either accurately, completely or timely.

The same company also services the Sault Ste. Marie area under a different contract. In total, $27,000 in fines were issued under that contract.

The company was issued a $5,000 fine for not getting equipment out within 30 minutes of the start of a winter storm, but some fines were not due to winter maintenance concerns. It was issued $1,000 fine for not removing winter sand from storage by a certain deadline.

Integrated Maintenance and Operations Services, which deals with the New Liskeard, Timmins and Cochrane area, faced $82,000 in fines.

Some infractions included $33,000 for isolated slippery conditions and $9,000 for the level of service after a winter event.

All the contractors were contacted for comment. Three didnt respond, and one declined to do an interview.

Below are copies of information CBC News obtained through its FOI request:

New Liskeard/Timmins/Cochrane (Integrated Maintenance and Operations Services):

North Bay (Transfield Services):

Sault Ste. Marie (Transfield Services):

Sudbury (DeAngelo Brothers Inc):