QUEBEC CITY (May 7, 2003) – The Quebec Ministry of Transportation is informing heavy vehicle operators that the spring thaw period in all zones will end one week later than originally expected. The reason for the delay is an exceptionally cold winter and deep freezing of soil, leaving many roads still vulnerable to heavy weight, the Ministry said.

Zone 1, covering southern Quebec, (Gatineau, Montreal, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec City, and as far as Riviere-du-Loup) ends its load restriction period on May 17.
Zone 2, located north of zone 1, (La Verendrye and des Laurentides wildlife reserves, and Temiscamingue, Saguenay, Lac-Saint-Jean, the North Shore, Rimouski, the Gaspe and Iles-de-la-Madeleine) ends on May 24. Zone 3, (Abitibi, the Chibougamau-Chapais region, and the Ashuapmushuan wildlife reserve) ends May 31.