Rural roads, mostly in the east end of the city, have new load restrictions.
The change approved by Timmins council May 3 means there are year-round limits on heavy loads for 11 roads.
Commercial vehicles and trailers are limited to five tons per axle. Utility and road service vehicles such as Hydro One and city-owned vehicles are exempt from the bylaw.
The roads affected are Hydro Bay Road, Anderson Drive, Quirion Road, Davis Road, Jack Pine Road, Girl Guide Road, Racicot Road, McInnis Lake Road, Charland Road, Bertrand Road, and Urquhart Road.
"They’re not really designed for heavy loads and over the last number of years we’ve seen an increase of traffic, sometimes single loads but other times larger operations, forestry or rebuilding of properties,” said Ken Krcel, director of Public Works and Environmental Services.
People will have to apply to the city for exemptions for heavier loads.
Krcel explained that single-trip permits can be issued. There are also times that the city will enter into an agreement with a company when a significant security deposit to cover road repairs, if necessary.
Complaints from residents usually trigger enforcement for load restrictions.
"An example is Carrigan has an all year round load restriction so when that happens we advise Timmins Police and under the Highway Traffic Act they have the ability to enforce the bylaw,” Krcel explained.
