Early Thaw Coming to Quebec

Due to an unexpectedly mild spring, Transports Quebec has announced that the initial implementation date of it spring weight restrictions, March 15, has been changed to March 6. “Half-load” season, as it’s often called, is designed to protect pavement from damage while the ground frost thaws.

The early dates affect only “Zone 1.” Thaw periods in all other areas will come into effect as originally planned.

Zone 1 -March 6 (12:01 am) to May 12 (12:01 am)

Zone 1 comprises the Québec territory to the south of the following dividing line: At the Ontario border, starting from a point situated at the intersection of the Ottawa and Schyan rivers in the municipality of Sheenboro, along a line linking this point to a point situated at the intersection of the Picanoc river and of Highway 105 in the municipality of Wright. From there, along the extension of the said line towards the east to the junction of Autoroute 15 and Highway 329, to the north of the municipality of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts; thence, in a generallv northeastern direction to a point situated at the intersection of Highways 155 and 159 in the municipality of Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac, and then along the southern boundary of the Portneuf Game Reserve, the northern boundary of the municipality of the parish of Saint-Raymond and the southern boundary of the Laurentides Game Reserve to the intersection of Highway 175; thence, in a generally southeastern direction, along a line extending to the eastern boundary of the municipality of Beaupré at the intersection of Highway 138 and continuing on to the eastern extremity ot Île d’Orléans; thence, following the median line of the St. Lawrence River, continuing along until the western extremity of Îles aux Lièvres; thence, in a generally southeastern direction, along a line extending to and crossing Autoroute 20 at the eastern boundary of the municipality of Rivière-du-Loup, following along the boundary of this municipality to a point situated on the eastern side of the right-of-way of Highway 185; to the New Brunswick border.

Zone 2
March 21 (12:01 am) to May 19 (12:01 am)

Zone 2 comprises the Québec territory to the north of the dividing line of zone 1, the Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the territory to the south of the following dividing line: Starting from a point situated at the intersection of 48° North latitude and the Ontario border, along a line following the northern boundary of the municipality of Rollet to the intersection of Highway 101, the northern boundary of the La Vérandrye Game Reserve to the intersection of Highway 111 and the southern boundary of the Ashuapnushuan Game Reserve to the intersection of Highway 167; thence, the said line extending along the northern boundary of the municipality of Saint-Thomas-Didyme, Girardville and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette to the Manic 3 Dam; continuing along the northern boundary of the Sept-Îles-Port-Cartier Game Reserve to the junction of 52° North latitude and the Labrador border.

Zone 3
March 24 (12:01 am) to May 25 (12:01 am)

Zone 3 comprises the Québec territory to the north of the dividing line of the zone 2.

Weight restrictions imposed during the thaw period are as follows;

Gross weights on a 5-axle tandem/tandem combination are reduced from 41,500 kg to 36,500kg. An 18,000 kg tandem axle is reduced to 15,500 kg.

Gross weights on a 6-axle tridem combination are reduced from 41,500 kg to 36,500kg on vehicles with a spread of less than 3-metres. Vehicles with a spread from 3 to 3.6 metres are cut from 47,500 kg to 42,000 kg. That spread drops from 24,000 kg to 21,000 kg. Vehicles with a spread up to 3.7 metres are reduced from 49,500 kg to 43,000 kg. That spread drops from 26,000 to 22,ooo kg. An 18,000 kg tandem axle is reduced to 15,500 kg.

Gross weights on a 7-axle tridem with a lift-axle combination are reduced from 55,500 kg to 48,500kg on vehicles with an axle spacing of 5.5 or 6 metres. The 4-axle spread on vehicles with a spread from 3.6 to 3.7 metres is cut from 32,000 kg to 27,500 kg. An 18,000 kg tandem axle is reduced to 15,500 kg.

Gross weights for B-Trains with a closed tridem axle spread are cut from 59,000 kg to 54,500 kg, while the trailers with the larger spread are cut to 57,500 kg. The tridem groupings in each class are cut by 3,000 kg.

For complete information, see the MTQ web site at:
www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/marchandises/camionnage/charges/normes_en.htm

Or call:
Montréal (514) 873-7620
Québec (418) 643-7620
Other locations 1-800-361-7620