Early warming weather has caused the City of Cranbrook to implement load restrictions on its streets to prevent and minimize damage that occurs with thawing of winter frost.

Per the city’s Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 3021, effective immediately, all streets within the City of Cranbrook are limited to 70% Legal Axle Loading, with some other local streets being reduced to 50% on a case-by-case basis. Signage will be put in place to help notify road users.

The city works closely with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, who issues regional load restriction notices, based on Road Weather Information System stations that track the frost depth and temperatures in several locations. The city intends to align its streets with the same restrictions, including where heavy loads can access the city from industrial or construction operations outside of city limits.

“When the frost first comes out of the ground the soils underneath the pavement become very saturated and unstable, which can quickly lead to significant pavement damage and unsafe road conditions from heavy loads. We’ve had this occur a few times over the past several years and want to be as proactive as possible to protect our roads,” said Mike Matejka, Manager of Infrastructure.

For extraordinary loads, applications can be made for an overload or oversize permit through the city on a single load basis; however, this is not intended to permit continuous industry use.

For road users wishing to be updated on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Load Restrictions, they can sign up for email notifications at this location.

City of Cranbrook

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