Trucking standards are often different from province to province, causing interruptions and inconvenience at borders. Saskatchewan's Vehicle Weight and Dimension Regulations have been amended. The change will better align our trucking standards with provinces within the New West Partnership, BC and Alberta.
The big change is an increased number of highways on which a B-train truck tractor can operate at 63,500 kg, which is the same weight they are allowed to operate in BC and Alberta. This is an increase of 1,000 kg over previous standards.
"For a small amount of weight, it causes a lot of problems for trucks crossing the border," says Jim Reiter, Highways and Infrastructure Minister.
While the change is a relatively small amount, the government still had to ensure that the roads, and especially bridges, would be able to handle the increased weight of the trucks, Reiter explains. As a result, the number of highways on which these trucks can drive is increasing as the various bridges and the surfaces are confirmed to be able to handle the extra weight.
The newly added highways on which B-trains can operate are Highway 6 from Regina to Melfort, Highway 9 from Highway 1 to Yorkton, Highway 13 from the Manitoba boundary to its junction with Highway 39, Highway 18 from the Manitoba boundary to its junction with Highway 39, Highway 39 from Highway 6 to Highway 1 and Highway 40, from its junction with Highway 4 to its junction with Highway 29.
The move is one which Reither believes will be good for everyone in the province. While he notes that the trucking industry was the group pushing hardest for the change, he believes that the benefits will not end with them.
"It allows goods to move a little bit more freely across the border. It helps the trucking industry, but it also helps consumers. That will filter down to the price of goods," Reiter says.
He also notes that with increased trade between the western provinces in the New West Partnership, the harmonized regulations will help truckers as they move between Saskatchewan, BC and Alberta.
