Manitoba Frost Laws, Seasonal Load Weight and Speed Restrictions – 2026

"2026 spring road restrictions are in effect starting on March 20 in Zone 1"

Zone Status What Dispatchers Need to Know Now

Zone 1 is confirmed active as of March 20, 2026. Zones 2, 3, 4, and 5 cannot start before April 5, 2026. No confirmed 2026 end dates have been published for any zone. Verify live status before every dispatch once each zone's earliest start date passes.

Actual start dates for Zones 25 depend on real-time thawing index monitoring. A zone's activation may be delayed beyond these minimums in years of late thaw. Restrictions may also end earlier than historical maximums if warm weather advances the thawing index trend ahead of schedule.

What Changed Since the March 25 Update

• Zones 2, 3, 4, and 5 "not before" dates have all shifted from March 31 / April 2 to April 5, 2026.
• Zone 1 remains confirmed active from March 20, 2026 no change.
• Status observed at: 2026-03-31T18:05:46+00:00.

How Activation Dates Are Set

• The province monitors the thawing index trend to determine when conditions warrant activation in each climate zone.
• A delayed thaw can push start dates beyond the published "not before" minimums.
• Earlier-than-expected warming can end restrictions before the latest historical end dates.
• Both SRR Levels (Level 1 and Level 2) apply to all five climate zones once activated.
• All changes are communicated via the SRR website and Manitoba 511.

Weight Limits

Reduced allowable axle weights apply across all active zones during the spring thawing season. Specific axle weight limits and reduction percentages for Level 1 and Level 2 restrictions are published on the dedicated allowable axle weights page and in the 2026 Official SRR Order not on the status index page. Review those tables before planning loads for Zone 1 and for any zone that activates:

• Allowable axle weights: gov.mb.ca/mti/srr/restrictions.html

Road Classification and Coverage

Spring road restrictions apply to surfaced pavements on provincial highways only, as identified in the Spring Road Restrictions Order. Local roads are not covered under this program.

• Climate Zone 1 Active from March 20, 2026
• Climate Zone 2 Not before April 5, 2026
• Climate Zone 3 Not before April 5, 2026
• Climate Zone 4 Not before April 5, 2026
• Climate Zone 5 Not before April 5, 2026

Exemptions and Permits

Special permits are available through Permit Services for qualifying loads. Essential Commodities Provisions apply under active restrictions for qualifying loads on covered provincial highways. Contact Permit Services or review the full provisions page before dispatch:

• Permit Services: 1-204-945-3961 or toll-free 1-877-812-0009
• Essential Commodities Provisions: gov.mb.ca/mti/srr/essentcomm.html

Penalties

Penalties are governed by The Highway Traffic Act. Specific amounts are not published on the SRR index page. Contact Motor Carrier Enforcement at 1-204-945-3890 or visit a Manitoba Weigh Station for enforcement details.

How to Monitor Activation

Zone 1 is active now. Zones 25 could activate from April 5. Verify live status before every dispatch once that date passes:

• SRR Index (primary status): gov.mb.ca/mti/srr/index.html
• Manitoba 511 Alerts: manitoba511.ca/List/Alerts
• Permit Services: 1-204-945-3961 or toll-free 1-877-812-0009
• Motor Carrier Enforcement: 1-204-945-3890
• Transportation and Infrastructure Regional Offices and Manitoba Weigh Stations