Drivers of commercial vehicles are advised that load restrictions are now in place on various provincial routes in Southern British Columbia. Highways are particularly vulnerable to damage when they begin to thaw, and load restrictions are put in place to reduce that damage.
With load restrictions in place, drivers of long-haul transports, logging trucks and trucks that carry heavy equipment are required to reduce loads they would normally carry on a route. They can also choose alternate roads with no load restrictions, where available.
Drivers should look for white signs posted on the route advising of seasonal load limits for the area. Drivers who do not obey seasonal load restrictions are subject to a $365 fine.
Load restrictions are usually in place for about six to eight weeks in the spring to protect B.C.’s road system. This saves taxpayers $50 million annually in additional maintenance costs. The Province will spend almost $150 million in 2011-12 on road rehabilitation.
Local roads affected by restrictions are as follows:
No.97 Highway - Unrestricted
Keremeos area - All side roads except those listed at 100 per cent.
Princeton area - All side roads except those listed at 100 per cent.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure press release