Saskatchewan updates trucking regulations

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REGINA – Truckers operating in Saskatchewan now have a few more options for where they can go and what they can pull.

The Government of Saskatchewan has approved new regulations that took effect on April 1. Although they have still to be officially published in Hansard and made available to the public, Truck News has learned there are four major changes.

Tridem-drive trucks can now tow pony trailers.  According to the government, this will help minimize the number of trips, drivers and vehicles required to perform tasks such as moving office trailers, RVs and tool cribs.

Semi-trailers with tridem axle groups can operate at 24,000 kg on select highways where the axle spread is 3.0 to 3.6 meters.  They will operate on the same routes as B-trains. This regulation was adopted under the New West Partnership initiative (designed to reduce barriers to trade flow among the western provinces) as British Columbia and Alberta already have this allowance. 

The gross vehicle weight for tridem drive B-trains has increased to 61,800 kg from 54,500 kg on secondary weight highways.  This change was promoted by the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)

The list of primary weight highways where B-trains can operate at the maximum weight of 63,500 kg has been expanded. This is mainly due to construction and bridgework being completed which has created upgraded infrastructure capable of handling the increased weight loads.

“We are pleased to see the government responding to a resolution put forward by our members,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president Dave Marit said.  “The increase in weight for tridem drive B-train combinations on secondary weight highways will help get product coming out of rural areas to market more efficiently.” 

According to the government, these new regulations are expected to be a benefit to the industry as a whole.

“These changes will enable industry to increase efficiency through reduced operating costs and reduced red tape,” highways and infrastructure minister Don McMorris said.  “The changes give industry more options for transporting goods depending on the vehicle/trailer combinations and internal dimensions.”

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Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


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