The Public Works, Infrastructure and Engineering Services Department has implemented early ‘half load’ restrictions across Chatham-Kent.
Municipal officials say under the Highway Traffic Act, reduced load restrictions are placed on trucks to protect Ontario’s highways during spring thaw, when road damage is most likely to occur.
Normally, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent reminds drivers that ‘half load’ season starts annually on March 1 and continues until April 30 of each year.
This winter, the spring thaw has come sooner than usual and the long range weather forecast does not indicate many days with temperatures below freezing between now and March 1, Chatham-Kent officials stated.
As a result, the ‘half load’ restriction will be in place starting February 22, 2017.
Roads that are impacted by this restriction will have signage posted.
For more information on half load season, visit the Ministry of Transportation website at http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/load-restrictions.shtml, or contact the Municipality of Chatham-Kent by phone at 519-360-1998 or email at CKinfo@chatham-kent.ca.
