Residents and businesses in Owen Sound, Ontario, are seeing changes to local traffic as Grey County put seasonal weight limits of 5 tonnes per axle in place starting March 1, 2026, to protect roadbeds from damage during the spring thaw.
The Grey County Transportation Services department uses these restrictions on all county-owned roads because the ground under the pavement becomes soft and weak as frost melts. By limiting the weight of heavy vehicles, the county can prevent deep cracks and structural failures that are expensive for taxpayers to fix.
These seasonal protections typically stay in place until May 1, 2026, though the exact date can change depending on how quickly the ground dries. During this time, local haulers, farmers, and construction contractors must carry smaller loads or find different routes to comply with the 5-tonne limit.
