Manitoba Spring Road Restrictions (SRR) Program

The Manitoba Ministry of Infrastructure divides its province into three sections, with each section having a unique thaw restriction start and end date. In 2020, it will begin its spring road restrictions for Region A and Region B of the province at 6 a.m. on Friday, March 10. Weight restrictions are scheduled to end at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31.

The allowable axle weights on weight restricted roads during the spring season are based on the percentages of the legal axle weights, with some exceptions for the single steer axles and in situations where essential commodities are being shipped. There are two levels of spring weight restrictions in Manitoba depending on the strength and surface conditions of the pavement structures. The Level 1 weight restriction applies to weak pavements while the Level 2 weight restriction applies to very weak pavements. The allowable axle weights on different axle configurations are calculated as follows:

Level 1 Spring Weight Restrictions:

1. On a single steering axle of a single or tandem drive truck tractor:
   • 10 kg per millimeter width of tire up to a maximum of 5,500 kg on all highways.
2. On a single steering axle of a straight truck or a tridem drive truck tractor:
   • Tire size 305 mm or less: 10 kg per millimeter width of tire up to a maximum of 5,500 kg on all highways.
   • Tire size greater than 305 mm: 9 kg per millimeter width of tire up to a maximum of 6,570 kg on all highways.
3. On a tandem steering axle group of a straight truck:
   • 9 kg per mm width of tire multiplied by 0.90 (download factor) up to a maximum of 12,240 kg on RTAC Routes or Class A1 highways and up to a maximum of 9,900 kg on Class B1 highways.
4. On all other axle groups:
   • 9 kg per millimetre width of tire up to a maximum of 90% of the legal axle group weights on all highways.

Level 2 Spring Weight Restrictions:

1. On all single steering axles of all vehicle configurations:
   • 6.5 kg per millimeter width of tire up to a maximum of 65% of the legal axle weights on Class A1 and Class B1 highways.
2. On a tandem steering axle of a straight truck:
   • 6.5 kg per millimeter width of tire multiplied by 0.90 (download factor) up to a maximum of 8,840 kg on Class A1 highways and up to a maximum of 7,150 kg on Class B1 highways.
3. On all other axle groups:
   • 6.5 kg per millimeter width of tire up to a maximum of 65% of the legal axle weights on Class A1 and Class B1 highways.

Road restrictions for Region C, the northern most regions, will begin at 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 12, and end at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, June 10. Region C is defined as the rest of the province north of the virtual line in Region B.

Spring Weight Restrictions are classified as Level 1 and Level 2 (see table below).

Example of Maximum Allowable Axle Weights. Level 1 Spring Weight Restriction, Reduce Axle Weights to 90% Maximum Allowable Weights. Level 2 Spring Weight Restriction, Reduce Axle Weights to 65% Maximum Allowable Weights. A complete list of Charts of Allowable Axle Weights can be found at the following link: http://gov.mb.ca/mit/srr/restrictions.html

Manitoba Spring Road Restrictions Program:

Source: http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/srr/

Manitoba publishes a list of road bans as conditions change. Go to the above link and look for “Road Bans” in the left column. These bans identify specific roadways and the ban imposed in percent of rated axle capacity.

It is important for truck drivers and trucking company dispatchers to make certain they are operating in accordance with the Manitoba posted frost laws, seasonal load weight and speed restrictions that are posted. Changes to these restrictions is subject to change hourly during the winter and spring months. You are expected to be aware of these changes and operate accordingly. It is possible that heavy fines may be levied as well as your truck being ordered out of service and not permitted to travel. We suggest you bookmark this page for future reference.