MONTREAL, Que. — CN’s customer support centre has released a statement advising drivers of an early thaw period in the province of Quebec, starting Feb. 28. According to the statement, the weight of loads must be reduced if the arrival date is expected to be near or on the beginning date of the thaw period.Any load over the weight limit will be turned away by CN. The statement said that CN will proceedwith delivery of any’overweightload’ only afterit hasreceived written confirmation that additional costs involved, including $250 penalty as per the applicable tariff, will be accepted and paid promptly by the freight payer.

Listed below are the allowable net weights for most of the present CN cube:

1)dry tandem trailers- 42,000 lb.
2) Impex 20′ dry cube – 37,500 lb. (20′ tandem chassis)
3) Impex 40′ dry cube-45,990 lb.(tridem chassis only)
4) 48′ KH6 (heater cont.)- 47,470 lb. (tridem chassis only)
5) 53′ dries KC7 – 49,600 lb. (tridem chassis only)
6) 48′ dries KC6- 50,850 lb. (tridem chassis only)
7) 53′ KH7 (heater cont.) – 48,230 lb. (tridem chassis only)

The Quebec Ministry of Transport will implement the annual spring thaw weight restrictions in early March. The Ministry only provides 24 hours notice before implementation. To keep up-to-date on with possible changes visit http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/en/camionnage/charges/degel.asp. As of the starting date,all weights must be reduced on loads expected to arrive on or after the beginning of the thaw period. Shipment weights must be reduced and evenly distributed in the unit to avoid possible charges and fines associated with overweight loads during the spring thaw period. CN said it will not take responsibility for any such charges.

Quebec’s spring thaw season is divided in three distinct zones with potentially three different starting and ending periods: Zone 1 (Hull, Montreal, Sherbrooke, St-Hyacinthe, Drummondville, Trois-Rivieres, Grand-Mere, Quebec City, Riviere-du-Loup and all points south thereof); Zone 2 (Saint-Jovite, La Malbaie, Rimouski, Gaspe, Chicoutimi, Jonquiere, Dolbeau, Alma, Baie-Comeau, Roberval, St-Felicien, Sept-Iles); and Zone 3 (Val d’Or, Rouyn, Noranda, Matagami, Chibougamau, Chapais).

For more information visit www.cn.ca.