"Winter Weight Season defined as commencing November 16 and ending March 14 annually by regulation. Order effective Midnight Saturday March 14, 2026."
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Active Spring Road Ban in effect province-wide on provincial highways (Sixteenth Order, May 16, 2025, until further notice). The 20252026 Winter Weight Season ended at midnight March 14, 2026 (Order 34). Confirm active Minister's Orders before every dispatch. |
| Status Timestamp | 2026-03-11T02:23:18+00:00 |
| Coverage | Saskatchewan provincial highways only. Rural municipality and local roads are governed separately and are not covered here. |
| Effective Dates |
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| Weight Limits |
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| Key Roads | All Saskatchewan provincial primary and secondary highways. Notable route-specific restrictions: Hwy 8, Hwy 35 Aylsham Access, Hwy 49, Hwy 55 (old route), Hwy 80, Hwy 240, Hwy 302, Hwy 905, Hwy 919 (Cold River Bridge no winter weights), Hwy 955. Consult the Nine-Month Primary Weight and Classification Map. |
| Exemptions |
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| Penalties | Not specified |
| Contact | Phone: 1-866-933-5290 (toll-free in SK) | Dial 5-1-1 in Saskatchewan | Email: [email protected] | Highway Hotline website |
| Primary Status Source URL | saskatchewan.ca Increased Weights and Road Restrictions |
Spring Road Ban Axle Weight Limits
| Axle Type | Limit | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Single steering axle | 5,500 kg max | 10.0 kg per mm (560 lb/in) of manufacturer's stamped tire width |
| Tandem axle steering group | 11,000 kg max | 10.0 kg per mm (560 lb/in) of manufacturer's stamped tire width |
| Other axles standard tires | 1,650 kg per tire | 6.25 kg per mm (350 lb/in) of manufacturer's stamped tire width |
| Other axles single tires 445 mm width | 2,630 kg per tire | Applies only to axles fitted with single tires 445 mm width or greater |
| Hwy 55 (old route) & Hwy 240 all axles | 4.5 kg/mm, max GVW 22,686 kg | Reduced spring limit (252 lb/in) on these specific routes |
Two Concurrent Seasonal Programs What's Active Now
These are separate, concurrent programs. The Winter Weight program grants above-normal weights on frozen ground; the Spring Road Ban program imposes reduced weights to protect thawing road infrastructure. Both are administered by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways via distinct Minister's Orders.
- Winter Weight Season (Order 34 20252026): Permitted primary highway weights on the provincial network from November 16, 2025 through midnight March 14, 2026. RMs No. 137 (Swift Current) and No. 288 (Pleasant Valley) opted out effective upon posting of Order 34. The 20252026 winter season is now closed. The annual cycle resumes November 16, 2026.
- Spring Road Ban (Sixteenth Order effective 12:01 am May 16, 2025, until further notice): Reduced axle and gross weight limits apply province-wide on provincial highways during spring thaw. Restrictions are progressively lifted as roads recover specific rural municipalities and access roads are removed from the order as conditions improve. Confirm current order documents for your route before every dispatch.
Route-Specific Weight Conditions
- Hwy 80 (Yorkton District): Primary highway weights permitted during the official winter weight season through March 15, 2027. The 15 Kilometre Rule does not apply on this route.
- Hwy 49: Primary highway weights permitted across multiple defined periods through March 15, 2029. The 15 Kilometre Rule does not apply on this route.
- Hwy 302: Restricted to 8,000 kg from March 1 through November 30 annually.
- Hwy 8 (Norquay to Swan Plain): 8,000 kg limit applies when ambient temperature is above 6C (March 15 November 15).
- Hwy 35 Aylsham Access: 8,000 kg limit when ambient temperature is above 6C (February 24 November 15).
- Hwy 240: Reduced to 75% of primary weights (4.5 kg/mm tire width, maximum GVW 22,686 kg) outside the winter season.
- Hwy 55 (old route): Special spring limit of 4.5 kg/mm tire width, maximum GVW 22,686 kg.
- Hwy 919 (Cold River Bridge): No winter weights permitted on this bridge structure.
- Hwy 905 (Shasko Bay) & Hwy 955 (Douglas River Bridge): Maximum GVW 41,500 kg year-round.
- Hwy 2 Paddockwood Access: 8,000 kg maximum March 1 November 30.
Road Classification Notes
- Primary highways: Primary weight loads permitted November 16 March 14 (winter season). Subject to spring road ban axle and weight limits during thaw. Consult the Nine-Month Primary Weight and Classification Map for route-specific designations.
- Secondary highways: Subject to spring road ban axle and weight limits. Specified bridge structures are restricted to secondary weights year-round winter weights not permitted on those bridges.
- Rural municipality (RM) roads: Each RM sets its own weight limits and may issue overweight permits for alternate haul routes independently. This provincial page does not govern RM roads. RMs No. 137 (Swift Current) and No. 288 (Pleasant Valley) opted out of winter weight allowances.
Exemptions
- Emergency vehicles
- Ministry of Highways vehicles operating on restricted routes
- Municipal maintenance equipment on restricted routes
- SaskPower, SaskEnergy, and SaskTel vehicles accessing sites along restricted routes
- Recreational vehicles
- Buses
- Farm equipment (operated or towed)
- Vehicles directly crossing provincial highways at intersecting public or private roads
- Overweight permits may be issued by rural municipalities for alternate haul routes
How to Check and Confirm Current Orders
- Call 5-1-1 (in Saskatchewan) or 1-866-933-5290 (toll-free) for live updates.
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit the Highway Hotline online.
- Spring Road Ban orders are published every Tuesday and Friday by 12:30 p.m. CST during the ban period. Restrictions are progressively lifted review the current order for your specific route and RM.
- Review both the current and previous Winter Weight Orders within any transition week to confirm which limits apply.
Key Order Documents
- Winter Weight Order 34 (March 10, 2026 20252026 season close)
- Current Winter Weight Order (Saskatchewan Publications)
- Previous Winter Weight Order
- Spring Road Ban Sixteenth Order (effective May 16, 2025)
- Current Spring Road Ban Order (Saskatchewan Publications)
- Previous Spring Road Ban Order
- Spring Weight Restriction Excerpt Saskatchewan Truckers' Guide
- Nine-Month Primary Weight and Classification Map
Important Operational Notes
- Weights on public highways are separate from a vehicle's registered gross weight.
- The Minister may restrict weights on any public highway at any time by Order, with as little as 48 hours' notice.
- Spring bans may be lifted early with 48 hours' notice if a prolonged cold period occurs during the ban window.
- Winter Weight program start may be postponed if insufficient ground freezing has occurred by November 16.
- Always download and review the current Minister's Order for your specific route before dispatch this page describes program rules and does not display real-time active order text.
Source Attribution
Primary Source: Saskatchewan.ca Increased Weights and Road Restrictions
Supporting Sources: Winter Weight Order 34 (Mar 10, 2026); Spring Road Ban Sixteenth Order (May 16, 2025)
Retrieved: 2026-03-11T02:23:18+00:00
Publisher: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways
Active spring road ban restrictions are in effect province-wide on Saskatchewan provincial highways. The 20252026 Winter Weight Season closed at midnight March 14, 2026. Always confirm the current active Minister's Order for your specific route before dispatch.
