Load Restrictions

Half-load restrictions in effect beginning March 15, 2021

We need weight restrictions to prevent damage to our roads. Every year, our Muskoka municipalities put half-load, or reduced/seasonal load restrictions on select roadways to protect our infrastructure. These restrictions are typically set from early March until the end of May. 

When half-load restrictions are in effect, signs will indicate our road is off-limits to heavy transports and vehicles exceeding 5 tonnes per axle. However, there may be alternate routes or that can be taken to reach the destination.  Visit our website to explore an interactive map of District road half-load restrictions on Muskoka GeoHub, the District’s online web mapping portal. 

For more information about load restrictions on District roads, please contact our office at 705-645-6764 or email us at publicworks@muskoka.on.ca 

Reason for weight requirements

In the spring, as frost comes out of the ground and moisture comes out of the road bed:

• Roads become softer and weaker
• Heavy loads on roads can cause it to sink and break apart, which can lead to permanent damage
• Half-load restrictions are put in place to protect our roads and road beds from being damaged
• Reduces the need of having to re-build a road after every spring thaw 

Time of year

With spring thaw and changes in weather, half-load restrictions are generally from March to May. Exact  dates are set each year, dependent on road conditions and temperatures.