Public Service Announcement

Spring Weight Restrictions Implemented Early Due to Mild Weather

(Friday, January 27, 2006)-- Due to the very mild winter conditions this season, the Halifax Regional Municipality is implementing spring weight restrictions for vehicles travelling on roads maintained by HRM. The Province of Nova Scotia has already done so on roads that it maintains.

The restricted period has normally been put in place between mid-March and early May.

To minimize potential damage to our roads and be consistent with the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW), HRM is implementing spring weight restrictions early this year on streets where they have previously applied. The restrictions will apply from January 31, 2006 to May 1, 2006.

If cold weather conditions return, the HRM restrictions will be lifted and re-implemented at a later date. Also, if the weather is such that the roads stabilize earlier in the spring, the restrictions may be lifted before May 1.

Staff has arranged for enforcement of these restrictions to be carried out by Provincial Weight Enforcement personnel. This approach will provide consistent enforcement on restricted roads throughout HRM, whether maintained by HRM or TPW.

Newspaper advertisements listing the restrictions and roads affected will appeared in tomorrow’s editions of The Chronicle-Herald and the Sunday edition of The Daily News.

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John O’Brien
Manager, Corporate Communications
(902) 490-6531