"The Raw Forest products freeze up period is no longer in effect, for all areas." Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 seasonal load restrictions remain active on designated Ontario King's Highways effective March 29, 2026 @ 11:59PM, with restrictions running through May 31 and June 30, 2026 respectively.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Active Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 restrictions in effect as of March 29, 2026 @ 11:59PM. Schedule 1 currently has no active restrictions. Raw Forest Products freeze-up period is no longer in effect for all areas. |
| Status Timestamp | 2026-03-29T23:59:00 (source last retrieved 2026-04-01T02:18:45+00:00) |
| Coverage | Provincial (King's) Highways only designated highways under Schedule 1, 2, and 3. Schedule 3 also covers roads in unorganized territories in northern Ontario (North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, New Liskeard, Thunder Bay areas). Local and municipal roads are not covered by this source. |
| Effective Dates | Schedule 1: March 1 April 30, 2026 (no active restrictions at this time). Schedule 2: March 29, 2026 @ 11:59PM May 31, 2026 (active). Schedule 3: March 29, 2026 @ 11:59PM June 30, 2026 (active). |
| Weight Limits | Specific numeric axle or gross weight limits not published on this source page. Reduced load limits apply pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act when signs are posted. Single trip permits subject to axle controls established by the Ministry of Transportation. Annual and project overweight permits not valid during restricted months unless otherwise specified on the permit. |
| Key Roads | Schedule 2: Hwys 510, 518A, 524, 528, 529, 529A, 534, 538, 539A, 540A, 542A, 553, 554, 558, 559, 560A, 563, 567, 582, 585, 586, 587, 591, 593, 595, 597, 602, 607, 607A, 611, 612, 613, 615, 617, 619, 630, 632, 637, 639, 645, 670, 802, 805, 810, and partial sections of Hwys 129, 518, 520, 522, 523, 532, 533, 535, 539, 539A, 540, 542, 546, 548, 551, 556, 557, 575, 588, 589, 592, 600, 608, 638, 625, 643, and various Hwy 70xx-series roads. Schedule 3: North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, New Liskeard, and Thunder Bay areas. Applies when signs are posted. |
| Exemptions | Single trip permits may be issued for moving overloads on highways not designated in Schedules 1, 2, or 3, subject to MTO axle controls. Annual and project overweight permits are not valid during restricted months (MarchApril Southern Ontario; MarchMay Northern Ontario) unless otherwise specified on the permit. |
| Penalties | Not specified |
| Contact | Ministry of Transportation (MTO) mto.gov.on.ca Oversize/Overweight Permits |
| Primary Status Source URL | https://511on.ca/list/seasonalloads |
Current Status
Ontario Seasonal Load Restrictions are active as of March 29, 2026 @ 11:59PM on designated King's Highways under Schedule 2 (Northern Ontario) and Schedule 3 (King's Highways and roads in unorganized territories, including Thunder Bay area). Schedule 1 (Southern Ontario King's Highways) is within its seasonal window (March 1 April 30, 2026) but currently shows no active restrictions "None at this time."
Restrictions apply when signs are posted on designated highways. Drivers must confirm posted signage on affected routes before assuming a restriction is or is not in effect on a specific segment.
The Raw Forest Products freeze-up period is no longer in effect for all areas as of the March 29, 2026 status update.
Status observed at: 2026-03-29T23:59:00. Source last retrieved: 2026-04-01T02:18:45+00:00.
Schedule Breakdown
| Schedule | Region / Road Type | Seasonal Window | Current Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule 1 | Designated King's Highways (Southern Ontario) | March 1 April 30, 2026 | No active restrictions | "None at this time" within seasonal window but no highways currently restricted |
| Schedule 2 | Designated King's Highways (Northern Ontario) | March 1 May 31, 2026 | Active | Effective March 29, 2026 @ 11:59PM; covers listed full and partial highway segments; applies when signs are posted |
| Schedule 3 | Designated King's Highways and roads in unorganized territories (Northern Ontario North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, New Liskeard, Thunder Bay areas) | March 1 June 30, 2026 | Active | Effective March 29, 2026 @ 11:59PM; applies when signs are posted |
Overweight Permit Restrictions
The following overweight permit rules are in effect during restricted months:
- Southern Ontario: Annual and project overweight permits are not valid in March and April unless otherwise specified on the permit.
- Northern Ontario: Annual and project overweight permits are not valid in March, April, and May unless otherwise specified on the permit.
- Single trip permits may be issued for moving overloads on highways not designated in Schedules 1, 2, or 3, subject to axle controls established by the Ministry of Transportation.
The dividing line between Southern and Northern Ontario for permit restriction purposes runs via the Severn River to Regional Rd. 169, continuing via Hwy. 12, Hwy. 7, Regional Rd. 7B, and Regional Rd. 29 to Arnprior.
Raw Forest Products Freeze-Up Period
The Raw Forest Products freeze-up period is no longer in effect for all areas as of the March 29, 2026 status update. No zone-specific restrictions are currently active under this designation.
Key Roads Schedule 2 Detail
The following highways are listed under Schedule 2 (Northern Ontario). Restrictions apply when signs are posted.
- Full highway segments: Hwys 510, 518A, 524, 528, 529, 529A, 534, 538, 539A, 540A, 542A, 553, 554, 558, 559, 560A, 563, 567, 582, 585, 586, 587, 591, 593, 595, 597, 602, 607, 607A, 611, 612, 613, 615, 617, 619, 630, 632, 637, 639, 645, 670, 802, 805, 810
- Partial highway segments: Hwys 129, 518, 520, 522, 523, 532, 533, 535, 539, 539A, 540, 542, 546, 548, 551, 556, 557, 575, 588, 589, 592, 600, 608, 638, 625, 643, and various Hwy 70xx-series roads
Schedule 3 covers designated King's Highways and roads in unorganized territories in the North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, New Liskeard, and Thunder Bay areas.
Weight Limits
Specific reduced load weight values (e.g., kg per axle or gross vehicle weight) are not published on this source page. The source references the Highway Traffic Act as the governing authority for reduced load limits. Single trip permits are subject to axle controls established by the Ministry of Transportation at time of issuance.
Drivers requiring specific numeric limits should contact the MTO directly: MTO Oversize/Overweight Permits.
Coverage
- Applies to designated King's Highways listed under Schedule 1, 2, and 3 only.
- Schedule 3 also covers roads in unorganized territories in northern Ontario.
- Local and municipal roads are not covered by this data source. Check directly with local municipalities for county, regional, or local road restrictions.
Source Attribution
- Primary source: https://511on.ca/list/seasonalloads
- MTO permits contact: mto.gov.on.ca Oversize/Overweight Permits
- Status observed at: 2026-03-29T23:59:00
- Source last retrieved: 2026-04-01T02:18:45+00:00
- Verify current segment details directly at the official source.
