Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation advises spring road restrictions introduced in April to protect Manitoba’s paved road system will end just before midnight on Monday, May 26, for Zone 1 in southern Manitoba and Thursday, May 29, for Zone 2 in northern reaches of the province.
Normally, spring weight restrictions are introduced in mid-March, but like last year, the restrictions started at a later date. Restrictions began April 4 in Zone 1, in the southern part of the province and April 7 in Zone 2 in the northern region. Normally roads are restricted for a 56-day period or about eight weeks. Restrictions were in place a total of 53 days.
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.
Under the Spring Road Restrictions program, limits are based on a percentage of normal axle weights carried by vehicles. 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 has recently begun and motorists are reminded they are now required to reduce speeds to specific limits in construction zones under recently introduced Highway Traffic Act changes created to improve the safety of workers.
The latest information on road restrictions is available at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/srr and up-to-date details on Manitoba’s road conditions are available any time at 511 (toll-free), at www.mb511.ca or by following the Twitter account @MBGovRoads.
