The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Operators of heavy trucks will see a shorter period of spring road restrictions in Manitoba this year as a result of changes to provincial policy. When temperatures rise and frost comes out of the ground, restrictions are placed on truck weight limits on some roads as the roadbed is not as strong during the spring and would be damaged by heavy loads. The new policy will take changing weather conditions into account in determining when spring road restrictions are put in place, instead of using pre-set start and end dates. Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton said this policy represents a proactive approach to adapting to climate change. A new formula to calculate thawing of the roads has been determined and if weather conditions allow this spring, road restrictions could be in place as early as March 11, but will not last more than 56 days. This maximum total of days the roads may be restricted is down from 70 days. Also, to allow trucking operators to better plan, they will be provided three days notice of the start and end of the restrictions, up from the current practice of two days notice. Major routes such as the Trans-Canada Highway and PTHs 2, 6, 16 and 75 continue to be able to accommodate the heaviest truck loads, year round. _ Compiled from a Government of Manitoba news release
