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What are Half-Load Restrictions?

Has your building project been delayed? There may have been a half-load restriction placed on the route to where the project is taking place.

In Ontario, every year from approximately March 1st to July 15th, municipalities impose what are referred to as half-load, or reduced/seasonal load restrictions on select roadways. While these restrictions are in place, they can severely limit access to a destination for trucks and transports.

So why do these restrictions exist and how can they affect essential aspects of a building project, such as crane rental delivery?

What is a half-load restriction?

‘Half-load restrictions’ are normally placed on select roadways during the spring thaw. When a half-load restriction is in place, it means that vehicles over a certain weight class are not permitted to use the roadway.

Passenger vehicles are exempt from the restriction. Larger vehicles such as dump trucks, delivery trucks, concrete trucks and heavy equipment floats that haul excavators, bulldozers and cranes are included.

This restriction is due to the need to protect the road and the road bed from being permanently damaged.

How does a road get permanently damaged?

In the spring, frost comes out of the ground. As moisture comes out of the road bed, the road becomes softer and weaker. Heavy loads can cause the road to sink and break apart, which can lead to permanent damage.

Most rural highways are not built to withstand the pressures of heavy equipment like cranes & boom trucks. Even some of the smallest boom trucks exceed the weight of a road that is subject to a half-load restriction.

Why are half-load restrictions imposed?

To avoid rebuilding after every spring thaw, which would cost a lot of taxpayer dollars, townships impose restrictions to give the roads time to properly shed the frost.

Due to variations in weather patterns, half-load restrictions are different every year and are not set for a specific length of time. A long winter with a lot of snow could make restrictions longer. The general guideline is from March 1st to July 15th, depending on the season and the road conditions in certain locations.

How to avoid half-load restrictions

When a half-load restriction is in effect, the road is simply off limits to heavy transports. However, in some cases there are alternate routes that can be taken in order to reach the destination. This may require additional permits such as a road occupancy permit. If your building project takes place in the spring  (which is the busiest time of year in the building industry), remember that patience is key. Knowing about half-load restrictions in your area will help you in planning your project accordingly.

Contact Superior Crane

Superior Crane works with half-load restrictions and road occupancy permits on an ongoing basis. It’s nearly a full time job keeping up to date with where and when restrictions are imposed. All across the province of Ontario, there are varying levels of load restrictions in place. Because we work with townships and municipalities every day to determine where the restrictions are in effect, we know exactly how to plan around them. We’re also extremely familiar with the road occupancy permit process for projects where transport on restricted roads is unavoidable. We make it our priority keep abreast of all current legislation, half-load rulings and schedules for each jurisdiction in the entire province.

If you have more questions about how half-load restrictions may affect your project, please contact us.

Click here for more information on load restrictions for roads in Ontario.

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