A sure sign spring breakup is around the corner is the notice of upcoming road restrictions.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) has issued a public notice that load restrictions may be put in effect on highways and secondary highways and roads on short notice.
Interior Roads Ltd. (IR) 100 Mile Division general manager Ken Kelly says MoTI controls when these load restrictions are in effect, but locally, it does consider the advice of IR.
"We make recommendations to them because we are out there monitoring and [maintaining] the roads, and we see when breakup starts. You can tell if the frost is coming out of [the roads]."
MoTI wants trucking and transport companies and the general public to be aware that heavy vehicles and commercial transport trucks and trailers could be limited to 50 per cent, 70 per cent or 100 per cent (none overweight) of a specified legal axle weight loading.
Overweight permits will not be issued, and those already held will be invalidated should the need occur.
MoTI Cariboo District manager Todd Hubner says the ministry also uses its own field staff observations.
By accessing data from thermistors (temperature-sensing elements) embedded in the road base, he explains MoTI management can detect real-time temperatures up to two metres below the surface anytime up to seven days prior.
"It allows us to track the progress of how quickly the frost is coming out."
"It is a very collaborative process. We are looking at [IR's] observations, our observations, weather forecasts, how quickly the frost is actually coming out – and we also gauge the importance of that road to industry."
The MoTI meets with local mills and other industries, so they can gauge their inventory levels and ramp up stock to get them through the breakup period, Hubner says, adding it may allow hauling at night in the final days before enforcing restrictions.
Kelly notes the local IR crews also do a visual check because a stretch of warm weather will reveal bare road surfaces again, even on back roads. He says that's when the roads begin to break up (soften and become more porous).
"The side roads – which are usually the ones that have the more restrictions – they are covered with compact snow for the most part right now. And, that is the way we like to leave them for winter conditions because it protects the road surface more ... if you do get a few mild days, it's not melting into the road surface."
The frost really starts to come out once temperatures stay above zero during the night as well as the day, he notes.
Road signs will be placed when restrictions go in effect, and are posted online at www.DriveBC.ca, with more information under its Load Restrictions link. For more information, contact Brad Bushnell at 1-250-256-0329.
However, Kelly says can no one can accurately predict when the heavy loads will be restricted on local roads and highways.
"You never know; it just depends on the weather."