Truckers using secondary highways in a "large portion" of southern Saskatchewan won’t be allowed to load up to full winter weights yet.
The province is usually able to open its applicable highways to heavier winter weights any day after Nov. 16 and no later than Dec. 1. However, the province said Wednesday it will not yet allow winter weights on any highways south of Highway 1 and west of Highway 39 (connecting Moose Jaw, Weyburn and Estevan).
The provincial highways ministry would not say Wednesday when it expects to allow winter weights on those roads.
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Conditions "will be monitored and the feasibility of winter weights will be reviewed on an ongoing basis," the province said.
Thanks to warm weather this fall and the flooding seen in much of the region this year, "road structures have not yet frozen sufficiently to bear winter weights," the province said Wednesday.
Without sufficient freezing, the extra weights usually allowed during winter weight season can damage pavement and the roads’ structure.
Truckers can find updated road restriction orders and related information online or by calling one of the province’s Highway Hotline numbers:
- Regina and area, 306-787-7623;
- Saskatoon and area, 306-933-8333;
- across Canada, 1-888-335-7623; or
- on SaskTel’s cellular network, at *ROAD.
