As March begins, the Department of Transportation and Public Works would like to remind Islanders that it’s time to begin preparing for upcoming Spring Weight Restrictions.
Each year Prince Edward Island experiences a spring thaw during which Island roads are more fragile than at other times of the year, making them vulnerable to damage from heavy commercial motor vehicles. In fact, research shows that during spring a loaded axle on a commercial vehicle can cause up to eight times more damage to roads than at other times of the year.
During this period, the Department of Transportation and Public Works subjects highway carriers to stricter vehicle load limits in order to protect Island roads. The department’s commercial vehicle officers also undertake increased monitoring during this period to ensure compliance with the vehicle load limits. These measures are supplemented by staff working with heavy commercial motor vehicle operators to plan travel routes in advance to help avoid undue road damage.
“In order to protect our roads from pavement cracking and road breakup, we bring in spring weight restrictions each year. This helps reduce the potential for damage from freezing and thawing cycles and helps limit the cost of future road rehabilitation,” said Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea.
Shea advised that further public notifications of spring weight restrictions would be coming forward in the near future as weather conditions warrant.