The City of Grande Prairie and the County of Grande Prairie are expanding seasonal weight restrictions on all local gravel roads to a 24-hour-a-day schedule, effective Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The new rules mean that all gravel roads within the city and county are limited to 75% of their usual axle weight at all times until further notice. This is a significant shift from the previous restriction, which only applied between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. since the initial road bans were implemented on March 23, 2026.
Municipal officials are putting these measures in place to protect road integrity during the spring thaw. According to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, gravel roads become particularly soft and susceptible to structural damage when the ground thaws. Spring road bans are a standard procedure across the province, typically triggered when frost and thaw depth readings in the ground reach at least 25 centimetres.
The restrictions are intended to prevent long-term damage to the roads while the ground remains vulnerable. Residents and motorists who travel on gravel roads should be prepared for these weight limits to remain in effect around the clock until local conditions improve and the roads are dry enough to handle standard traffic loads again.
