Residents are warning drivers to watch out for a large pothole on the highway approaching Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to avoid damaging their vehicles. This hazard comes as the area begins its yearly transition from winter to spring, a time when melting ice and changing temperatures often cause road surfaces to crack and break apart.
To help protect the roads during the spring thaw, the Ontario Trucking Association confirmed that provincial weight limits for heavy trucks went into effect on March 9, 2026. These restrictions are put in place every year to prevent further damage to highways while the ground underneath is soft and vulnerable.
According to the City of Sault Ste. Marie, road crews usually increase their patching work during the late winter and early spring. While the city monitors and repairs roads throughout the season, the high number of potholes can sometimes make it difficult for crews to fix every hole immediately.
If a vehicle is damaged by a pothole on a city street, residents are required to submit a claim to the city’s risk manager or fill out an online form. For hazards located on provincial highways, such as the Trans-Canada Highway/Hwy 17, motorists should instead report the issue and submit claims to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO), as the city only provides payment for repairs if it is found to be legally responsible for damage on municipal roads.
