It's that time of year once again when truckers are being advised to closely monitor their loads when using secondary highways across the province. 

As of midnight, this morning, winter weight regulations on secondary highways were reverted to spring weight regulations. 

“They’re a ministry initiative that has been in place for several years to maximize the amount of goods that could be shipped by truck on the secondary highways,” explained Senior Communications Consultant for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways, Steve Shaheen. “So, this is really an opportunity as a landlocked province with an export-based economy to be able to move different goods to port.” 

He added that during the winter, the material under the road surface freezes, making it stronger and able to withstand heavier loads without damaging the road. 

The increased weight regulations can also mean savings for many truckers as they are able to move more goods in fewer trips. 

Regulation weights reduce allowable weights on RM roads and secondary-weight provincial highways by 10 to 15 percent. 

The bans only impact secondary weight highways and not primary highways such as #1, #11 or #16. 

“This is really imperative to ensure that the roads aren't breaking down,” Shaheen added. “We talk a lot about some of the surface failures in the spring and potholes and things like that. So, this helps prevent those things from occurring. Not that it completely mitigates that from occurring, but it certainly can help.” 

To check which highways are impacted by weight restrictions, click here.