OTTAWA – Regular loads will be allowed back on the roads of Ottawa starting May 4.

“Beginning on Monday, May 4 seasonal load restrictions will no longer be in effect,” city staff released in a statement today (April 20). “Commercial vehicles or trailers with a gross vehicle weight in excess of five tonnes or 11,000 pounds per axle will no longer be prohibited on roads where restriction signage is posted.”

 During the spring thaw period, typically early March to mid-May, some roads cannot withstand heavy vehicle loads. Every year, the City of Ottawa monitors thaw progression by utilizing the forecast temperature data from Environment Canada and Weather Network to calculate the Thaw Index. When the Thaw Index reaches its threshold value, the load restrictions are imposed. Depending on the progression of the spring thaw, restrictions can come into effect quickly, sometimes with only a few days’ notice.

During the Seasonal Load Restricted period, commercial vehicles or trailers with a gross vehicle weight in excess of five tonnes or 11,000 lbs. per axle are prohibited on roads where restriction signage is posted, and on all roads identified as restricted on the Truck Route Maps, Urban Truck RoutesPDF opens in a new tab or window and Rural Truck RoutesPDF opens in a new tab or window. These restrictions also apply to all non-truck routes.

Heavy vehicles that exceed weight limits on restricted load roadways during the spring thaw period are subject to fine.