As the days inch closer to spring and temperatures hang above the freezing mark, roadbeds will begin to thaw, and thus become softer and more sensitive. That means that the winter allowances for transporters of large loads will be withdrawn, and they will have to haul lighter weights.

Steve Shaheen, a spokesman with the Ministry of Highways and Transport, explained.

"The freeze period that occurs during the colder winter months strengthens the roadbed. Since early December. this allows truckers to carry heavier loads. Now, those truckers and shippers across the province are being advised to start reducing the size of their loads on secondary weight highways with the removal of winter weights."

He added that those allowances are normally removed in early March. However, some regions of Saskatchewan have received quite a bit of mild weather, and as a result they start seeing changes as soon as February 24th.

"The restriction orders are frequently updated online until March 15th, at which time those winter weight allowances are no longer in effect for the entire province." 

Shaheen also noted that the spring road bans on secondary highways will soon be in effect as well, following the same pattern.

"These are tools that the province and rural municipalities have been using for a long time to ensure that damage to roads and infrastructure during that sensitive period is mitigated."

"Once they are announced, they will take about six weeks, and typically move in a northeasterly fashion from the southwest up towards Nipawin," he revealed.

Shaheen advises people to stay up to date on the latest restrictions and allowances by visiting www.saskatchewan.ca/truckingweights or the Highway Hotline.