2024 Manitoba Spring Road Restrictions (SRR) Program

Essential Commodities

It is in the public interest that certain commodities and situations be accommodated even during the spring restrictions period. These Essential Commodities have been separated into two groups: the first group where permits are not required (on the permit exemptions list below), and the second group where permits are required (on the permits required list below). The following “Essential Commodities Provisions” provide for travel on Level 1 roads while carrying normal axle weights and for limited travel on Level 2 restricted roads while carrying up to normal axle weights.

Essential Commodities Provisions

  1. Despite the imposition of Level 2 road restrictions on the above-listed highways, Level 1 road restrictions shall continue to apply to the following categories of vehicles:
    1. inter-city passenger buses;
    2. school buses; and
    3. highway maintenance vehicles operated by or on behalf of a traffic authority.
  2. Despite the imposition of Level 1 road restrictions on the above-listed highways, a vehicle may transport essential commodities at normal loading on a highway that is subject to Level 1 road restrictions.
  3. Despite the imposition of Level 2 road restrictions on the above-listed highways, a vehicle may transport essential commodities up to normal loading on a highway that is subject to Level 2 road restrictions under the following conditions.
    1. if the highway links two points on the vehicle’s itinerary that are less than 10 km apart, or in any other case if the highway is the most direct route between a point on the itinerary and the nearest highway that is not subject to Level 2 road restrictions; and
    2. if the essential commodities are transported between 2400 and 1200 hours during the first 14 days of this Restriction Order, or at any time of the day after the 14th day.
    3. Vehicles traveling empty to pick up essential commodities or after having delivered them may travel at any time of the day at Level 1 weights on highways that are subject to Level 2 road restrictions if they comply with condition (a) above.

Nothing in the above stated provisos authorizes the operation of a vehicle over a bridge or other structure in excess of posted weight restrictions.

Permit Exemptions List Permits Required List

The following commodities will not require a permit when transported under the conditions described earlier and specified in the Spring Road Restrictions Bulletins.

  • livestock feed in transit as follows:
    • grain en route from producer to processor;
    • unprocessed grain required for feed; and
    • processed livestock feed;
  • hay for feed in transit intra-provincially;
  • livestock in transit
    • to or from market or pasture, or
    • as the result of a sale;
  • potable water for non-industrial use;
  • bulk milk;
  • seed in transit to supplier, farm or field;
  • groceries;
  • medical supplies including pharmaceuticals, medical waste, blood products and blood services;
  • fuel;
  • fertilizer;
  • refuse including sewage in transit to the nearest landfill site or sewage facility;
  • equipment and materials required for emergencies, including forest fires, floods, train derailments and pipeline spills;
  • common carriers/contractors delivering mail on behalf of the Canada Post Corporation;
  • grain to satisfy grain quotas or contracts; and
  • potatoes or vegetables from producer to processor.

The following commodities will require a permit from Transportation and Infrastructure. Permits may be issued only to prevent undue hardship or for economic necessity.

  • irreducible loads of heavy construction or industrial machinery;
  • pregnant mares urine;
  • fish;
  • crude oil; and
  • raw products for provincially approved fertilizer production.

Note: Other request for permits will be considered, at the discretion of the department, in situations where it is determined to be in the public interest.

"Exemptions by Permit Only" Routes

A Level 2 axle weight restricted road may be designated as “Exemptions by Permit Only" route when more than one access road to a community or location exists. An “Exemptions by Permit Only” signs will be posted under the standard "65% of Normal Axle Loads" signs, on that road. No axle weights in excess of 65% of normal (legal) axle weights will be allowed on the designated route without a permit, whether the commodity being hauled falls under “Permit Exemptions List” or “Permits Required List”. In an emergency situation, the department may issue permits to haul axle weights in excess of 65% of normal (legal) axle weights on such designated routes.