The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure has delayed spring road weight restrictions on provincial highways
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com
The Government of Saskatchewan has suspended spring road weight restrictions on provincial highways, giving farmers more time to haul grain without worrying about road bans.
Recent cold temperatures prompted the government to hold off its regular spring restrictions on these roads, according to a government release on Monday.
“Suspending road bans lets farmers take advantage of the recent cold snap, while also protecting roads from unnecessary damage,” David Marit, the highways and infrastructure minister, said in the release.
“With the backlog in the grain handling system, our producers need to be able to haul as much grain as possible when they have the opportunity.”
Seasonal road bans generally reduce allowable weights on vulnerable roads by 10 to 15 per cent.
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure imposes weight restrictions on some highways and rural roads to prevent damage caused by heavy trucks as roads thaw in warmer spring temperatures, the release said.
Ministry staff are closely monitoring road and air temperatures. The weight restrictions will return once conditions permit.
Though spring road bans have been temporarily halted on provincial highways, producers and truckers should be aware that some rural municipalities still have road weight restrictions in effect, the release said.
More information on current restrictions can be found here.
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