Spring road restrictions introduced in April to protect Manitoba’s paved road system will end at midnight tonight. This announcement was made by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton.
“Based on the positive forecast and current road conditions, we will be removing the spring restrictions at midnight, Thursday, May 23, for normal loading starting Friday, May 24,” said Ashton. “This will be good news for commercial vehicles that will be able to transport heavy loads earlier than expected.”
When temperatures rise in the spring and the frost comes out of the ground, some roadbeds are weakened, which requires the province to place restrictions on truck weights to prevent damage by heavy loads.
Normally, spring weight restrictions are introduced in mid-March, but this year was one of the latest recorded start dates. Restrictions began April 10 in Zone 1, in the southern part of the province, and April 13 in Zone 2, the northern region. Normally roads are restricted for a 56-day period or about eight weeks. With the removal on May 23, the restriction was about six weeks this year. Zone 1 was restricted a total of 44 days, while Zone 2 was restricted for a total of 41 days.
Under the Spring Road Restrictions program, limits are based on a percentage of normal axle weights carried by vehicles, Ashton said. These road restrictions apply to all vehicles of 4,500 kilograms and heavier. Key routes such as the Trans-Canada Highway and PTH 2, 6, 16 and 75 are able to handle the heaviest truck loads year-round.
The annual road repair season will soon be underway and motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution when approaching any construction zone, the minister said. Motorists should be concerned for their own safety and the safety of workers.
