This new organization, effective from this winter season, aims to optimize the mobilization of human and material resources. The Walloon territory is now segmented into two zones, each with adapted winter service periods. The North zone will have full service from November 15 to April 1, with transition periods from October 15 to November 14 and from April 2 to 15. The South zone, more exposed, will have full service from November 1 to April 15, preceded by a transition from October 15 to 31.
The geographical division includes specific road and motorway districts for each zone. The North zone covers districts such as Tournai, Ath, Mons, Charleroi, and Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve. The South zone includes areas like Chimay, Philippeville, Ciney, Virton, Arlon, and Bastogne. This distribution allows for more targeted deployment of resources based on actual weather conditions.
If necessary, teams remain mobilized during transition periods, depending on weather forecasts. The primary objective remains user safety and maintaining the best possible traffic conditions on the Walloon regional network.
To face a potentially harsh winter, Wallonia has a stock of 105,000 tons of salt, with the possibility of ordering an additional 40,000 tons by year-end, bringing the total planned to 145,000 tons. For reference, an average winter requires about 70,000 tons.
During operations, over 1,200 people from the SPW and private companies, along with 660 vehicles for spreading and snow removal, will be mobilized daily across the 8,367 kilometers of the regional network. Emphasis will be placed on preventive spreading, considered more efficient and economical.
The Météoroutes tool, based on forecasts from the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) and data from 53 Walloon weather stations, will enable real-time monitoring and decision support for spreading operations, district by district.
Three intervention phases are planned: enhanced vigilance, road pre-alert, and road alert, the latter potentially including traffic restrictions for heavy goods vehicles in case of significant disruptions.
The SPW emphasizes the fundamental importance of road user caution, advising to check vehicle condition, equip with necessary gear (winter tires), maintain safe distances, drive smoothly, limit non-essential travel during heavy snowfall, and never overtake spreaders.
