Effective March 20, Saskatchewan has released the road ban exceptions for spring. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and the province are partnering to support the many challenges the agriculture sector is facing transporting priority goods.

Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit explains,

“We have been working with SARM and the RMs to provide consent to determine which roads can handle secondary weights. At the same time, we will work with these municipalities to monitor roads to prevent unnecessary road damage.”

Agriculture Minister David Marit adds,

“This measure will help producers finish last year’s harvest, market last year’s crop, and get this year’s crop in the ground. We know that the agriculture sector is under pressure and we are here to assist our producers.”

SARM President Ray Orb confirms,

“We are encouraging RMs to work with highway officials to determine whether or not to allow the same weights on their local roads. “This will be important to ensure trucks have access to farms and other facilities once they leave provincial highways.”

Road conditions will be closely monitored by the highway and municipal officials to observe that providing higher weight limits do not cause road damage or if weather conditions change. If any damage does occur, regular weight restrictions can be re-applied to ensure road safety and minimizing the need for costly repairs.

It is the responsibility of shippers to check what restrictions are in place on provincial roads to ensure they understand what the weight restrictions are.

There will be a collaboration with local authorities to determine the routes based on local conditions, and this will be the only year that no permits are required for priority goods.

Priority goods are listed as follows:

  • Agricultural seed
  • Grain
  • Livestock
  • Livestock feed
  • Fertilizer
  • Farm fuel
  • Groceries
  • Potable water delivery
  • Garbage pickup
  • Septic removal.

For full details on road ban restrictions, visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/transportation-and-road-construction/information-for-truckers-and-commercial-trucking-companies/regulations-and-road-restrictions/increased-weights-and-road-restrictions. 

Official spring restriction orders are issued every Tuesday and Friday by 12:30 p.m. (CST) during the ban period.