Spring weight restrictions in place on New Brunswick roads

80 per cent weight restriction sign posted at the intersection of the Bull Road and Route 555 in Bedell. 

Spring weight restrictions for 2012 were recently implemented on New Brunswick's rural roads.

Roads break up enough as it is due to the thaw and freeze cycle. As temperatures rise, snow and ice melts and seeps beneath roadways. When the temperature drops, the water freezes again, damaging the pavement. Heavy truck traffic can damage the roads further, making weight limits necessary.

Evidently, an attempt to patch this pothole on the Bull Road in Bedell has already been made. Spring break-up of the roadway has led to the failure of the previous patching attempt.

The New Brunswick Department of Transportation's website has published a list indicating roads in this area affected by weight restrictions:

• Route 103 from the Route 585 junction to the Route 560 junction 
• Route 104 from the Grub Road junction to the Hainesville Siding Road junction
• Route 105 from the Crabbe Road in Northampton to the Route 585 junction 
• Route 560 from the Route 103 junction to the Lockhart Mill Road in Jacksonville 
• Route 585 from the Route 105 junction to the Route 103 junction 

The limit on the allowable axle weight on roads is subject to change, depending on deterioration of the road. Some roads may be closed by the Minister of Transportation if they deteriorate beyond a point where they are safe for use. 

Visit http://www.gnb.ca/0113/policy/swr-e.asp for more information on 2012 spring weight restrictions, or for a complete list of roads affected by weight restrictions.