Starting March 9, 2026, the Regional Municipality of Durham will start enforcing seasonal weight limits on many roads in Ajax, Ontario, to prevent damage during the spring thaw. The rules will begin at 12:01 a.m. and are expected to stay in place until April 30, though this depends on how quickly the ground thaws.
These restrictions apply to any vehicle weighing more than 5,000 kilograms, or five tonnes, per axle. Officials use these limits because the road base becomes soft and easy to damage when water gets trapped under the pavement as the frost melts.
In Ajax, drivers of moving trucks and large delivery vans will likely be restricted from using Harwood Avenue, Rossland Road, Church Street, and Audley Road. According to the Town of Ajax, these heavy vehicles will need to use larger roads like Kingston Road, Bayly Street, Taunton Road, and Salem Road instead.
Residents should expect potential delays for large deliveries or moving services as trucks are rerouted. Commuters may also see more traffic on the main open roads, especially where existing construction for the new bus rapid transit project on Kingston Road is already narrowing lanes.
Some vehicles do not have to follow these weight limits, including emergency vehicles and those carrying essential goods like heating fuel, milk, or feed for animals. More information and a map of the restricted areas are available on the Region of Durham website.
