Last Day To Haul Winter Weights On Secondary Highways Is Sunday

If you want to move a heavy load using winter weights on secondary highways in the southern portion of Saskatchewan you only have today and tomorrow to legally move the load as warmer than usual weather means regulation weight restrictions return on March 9th at 12:01 am.

During the coldest months of the year December - February the colder temperatures mean that the road bed freezes to support heavier hauling weights which will not harm the road. As the road warms up heavier weights can cause road damage.

“Weight restrictions are put in place at various times of the year on provincial highways as a measure to prevent damage to the surface or road bed,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit said in a statement.  “As the weather warms up, some roads in the province can become vulnerable to soft spots and surface cracks as the frost comes out of the roadbed.”

Spring Road Bans

Spring road restrictions are used by the province and rural municipalities to mitigate damage to infrastructure.  Typically, these road restrictions start in March in southwest Saskatchewan and remain over a two to three-week period.

“Preserving Saskatchewan’s road network is vital for transporting goods to market,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President Ray Orb said.  “By reducing weights during the spring, we can reduce maintenance costs and ensure our roadways remain intact.”

The road bans reduce allowable weights on RM roads and secondary weight provincial highways by 10 to 15 per cent and typically last about six weeks.

For More Info

To check which highways are impacted by weight restrictions, please visit truck weight classifications and restrictions at www.saskatchewan.ca/trucking.  Spring road bans will be posted as necessary under the "New Spring Order" link.

To view the interactive map showing winter weight restrictions and spring road bans, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/highwayhotline and scroll down to restrictions.  Information is also available by contacting the Highway Hotline at 511.