Half-Load Restrictions

As warming spring temperatures begin to melt the ice and snow build-up on gravel roads, the lower layers remain frozen below. This leaves the pooling waters with nowhere to drain, which can create a mud-slurry in the lower layers. Heavy vehicles travelling along these roads can push the mud-slurry to the road surface, which destabilizes the roadway structure, resulting in muddy and rutted road conditions. Half-load restrictions are required to help mitigate this concern. 

Annual half-load restriction season typically starts on March 1 and continues until April 30. Depending on existing and forecasted environmental conditions, and the condition of the road network, the half-load season may start earlier than March 1 and/or be extended if deemed necessary. Once the road is determined to be structurally sound, load restrictions may be lifted.

The West Grey half-load restriction season is regulated through the Reduced Load Restriction Bylaw 17-2022.

Bylaw Excerpt

Whereas Subsection 7 of Section 122 of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1 g90, as amended, provides that the municipal corporation or other authority having jurisdiction over a highway may, by bylaw, designate the date on which a reduced load period shall start or end and the highway or portion thereof under its jurisdiction to which the designation applies; and

Whereas the reduced load restriction period is deemed necessary for the protection of all roadways in the Municipality of West Grey which are under the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the Municipality of West Grey; and

Whereas the restriction is that no axle of any commercial vehicle shall transmit to the highway, a weight in excess of 5,000 kilograms. Any deviations to this must strictly adhere to exceptions provided in the Highway Traffic Act.

Generally, March 1 until April 30 shall be the end, inclusive in each year, for the reduced load period for all portions of all highways under the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the Municipality of West Grey; and

The aforementioned start and end date shall be normal start and end dates at the discretion of the Director of infrastructure and Public Works, who may shorten, extend or temporarily suspend the period due to abnormal weather or road conditions. Agriculture, fuel, and food delivery are exempt from load restrictions.