Due to unseasonably warm weather, winter weight allowances have been removed from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure on southwest Saskatchewan highways effective today.

Highway crews are said to check the highways regularly, and those individuals have determined the weather is warm enough for the weight allowances to end.

Sonja Orban, Communications Rep for the Ministry of Highways says softer roads must be protected.

"While frozen roads provide a surface that allows shippers to carry heavier loads, soft roads need to be protected. A warm end to winter means winter weight allowances will be removed, starting in the southwest."

The Ministry has a legislated removal date at the end of February. Orban says the early removal isn't unusual.

Weight restriction orders are published online at www.highways.gov.sk.ca/restrictions/ under the link for the new order.

You can also call the Highway Hotline at 306-787-7623 (Regina and area), 306-933-8333 (Saskatoon and area), 1-888-335-7623 (across Canada) and *ROAD (SaskTel cellular customers). Road restriction orders and other related information is also available.

In addition, technical and regulatory information is available by calling the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Inquiry Line at 1-866-933-5290 inside Saskatchewan and 1-306-933-5290 outside Saskatchewan. The line operates Monday to Friday, except statuary holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.