Seasonal Loads

Under the Highway Traffic Act, the province enforces reduced load restrictions on trucks to protect Ontario's highways during spring thaw, when road damage is most likely to occur.

Last Updated: June 5th, 2026

Raw Forest Products freeze up period

The Raw Forest products freeze up period is no longer in effect, for all areas.
 

Restriction on permits

All annual and project overweight permits are not valid on any highways unless otherwise specified on the permit during:

  • March and April in Southern Ontario
  • March, April and May in Northern Ontario

For purposes of this restriction, the province is divided, west to east, by:

  • A line formed by the Severn River to Regional Rd. 169
  • Regional Rd. 169 from Washago to Hwy. 12
  • Hwy. 12, from Regional Rd. 169 to Hwy. 7, north of Sunderland
  • Hwy. 7, from Hwy. 12 to Regional Rd. 7B at Carleton Place
  • Regional Rd. 7B to Hwy. 15
  • Regional Rd. 29 to Arnprior

Single trip permits, for moving of overloads on highways not designated in Schedules 1, 2 and 3, may be issued, but are subject to axle controls established by the Ministry of Transportation.

Reduced Loads

Schedule 1

Pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act, the ministry will impose reduced load limits for those designated parts of the King's Highways listed in Schedule 1, when appropriate, between March 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026.

None at this time.

Schedule 2

Pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act, the ministry will impose reduced load limits for those designated parts of the King's Highways listed in Schedule 2, when appropriate, between March 1, 2026 to May 31, 2026.

None at this time.

Schedule 3

Pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act, the ministry will impose reduced load limits for those designated parts of the King's Highways/Roads listed in Schedule 3, when appropriate, between March 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026.

Effective June 5th, 2026 @ 4:00pm

When signs are posted, the Highway/Roads within the following Territories will have a Reduced Load Limit:

SAULT STE MARIE AREA

Dalmas
Devon Landing
Esher Como Healy
Hawk Junction
Kettle Lakes
Sultan

COCHRANE AREA

Brower
Casgrain
Coppell/Kendall/Way
Departure Lake
Doyle
Driftwood
Dunning
Fournier
Frederickhouse
Hallebourg
Hanlan
Hunta
Indian-Sand Lake
Kitigan
Nellie Lake (Aurora)
Norembega
Tunis
West Riverside

NEW LISKEARD AREA

Anima Nipissing
Bayly Marter
Beauchamp
Biscotasing
Blueberry-Munro
Bourkes
Bryce
Cane
Cairo & Alma Twp.
Crystal Lake
Eby-Grenfell
Foleyet
Gogama
Henwood
Horwood
Ingram
Lebel (Harvey) Kirkland
Lebel (King) Kirkland
Lorraine Twp.
Marquis
Marter
Mattagami Twp.
Ossian
Otto
Pacaud & Catharine
Robillard
Rainbow Lake Road
Savard
Sheraton & Macklem
Star Lake
Watabeag

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