Released on March 17, 2008
Truckers and shippers in the southwest corner of the province are advised to begin reducing the size of their loads immediately now that spring road bans are in effect.
"In springtime, many roads are vulnerable to soft spots and surface cracks as the frost comes out of the roadbed," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard said. "Spring road bans are a tool that the province and rural municipalities have used for decades to mitigate damage to infrastructure during this sensitive period."
Spring road bans typically come into effect near the end of March. As a result of recent warm temperatures in the southwest corner, the Ministry is enacting bans in the Moose Jaw and Swift Current areas effective immediately. Once the bans are announced, they take effect for six weeks. The bans usually move in a north easterly fashion as warmer temperatures spread across the province.
To understand exactly where these bans are occurring at any given time, the Ministry has an interactive map on its website www.highways.gov.sk.ca. The map clearly details where road bans are in place or have been lifted and gives information on special year-round weight restrictions across the province. Users can click on their region for a more detailed look at the map. The latest road ban information for highways and municipal roads can also be found in list form on the website under the heading "Road Restriction Orders". New information is published twice weekly.
The Winter Weight season for Saskatchewan roads officially ended Friday, March 14 at midnight. When roadbeds are solidly frozen in winter, truckers can carry heavier loads, but weights revert back down to normal limits throughout the rest of the year. During the most fragile spring thaw period, truckers must adhere to six-week spring road bans where loads must be reduced a further 10 - 15 per cent from normal weights.
The spring bans help minimize damage to Saskatchewan's secondary highways and municipal roads. The restrictions do not apply to primary weight highways with structural pavements. Municipalities institute their own spring road bans on selected municipal roads. Information on municipal road bans is also available under "Road Restrictions Orders" on the Ministry website.
To view the interactive road restriction map, go to www.highways.gov.sk.ca or contact the provincial Highway Hotline number province-wide at 1-888-335-7623. In Regina and area, call 306-787-7623 and in Saskatoon and area, call 306-933-8333.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: kleatherdale@highways.gov.sk.ca