Spring Road Weight Restrictions

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is monitoring air and road temperatures to determine the best date to begin introducing its annual weight restrictions on provincial roads.

Because the restrictions have a significant impact on the trucking industry, the department provides as much notice as possible.

"This is our annual heads up to the industry," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks. "If we get an extended period of warmer temperatures and wet weather the restrictions will be put in place. We invest a lot of money in our road surfaces and protecting them during the spring thaw is one of our top priorities."

The department is working closely with the trucking industry and Environment Canada to determine a date that will best protect the province's road surfaces while giving sufficient notice to truckers.

When weight restrictions are imposed, a list of roads that are exempt will be published in newspapers across the province. The weight restrictions on heavy trucks are necessary during the spring thaw to help protect roads that are weakened by mild and wet weather.

As in recent years, after daily monitoring of weather conditions, temperature and frost levels by the department, some roads will open at night when conditions allow.