"The Raw Forest products freeze up period is no longer in effect, for all areas."
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Active Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 restrictions in effect as of April 5, 2026 @ 11:59PM. Schedule 1 currently lists no active restrictions. |
| Status Timestamp | Status observed at: 2026-04-03T00:00:00; source last retrieved: 2026-05-18T02:05:11+00:00 |
| Coverage | Designated King's Highways (provincial) only Schedules 1, 2, and 3. Schedule 3 also covers roads in unorganized territories in Northern Ontario. 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: Active April 5, 2026 @ 11:59PM May 31, 2026. Schedule 3: Active April 5, 2026 @ 11:59PM June 30, 2026. |
| Weight Limits | Specific numeric axle or gross weight values are not published on this source page. Reduced Load Limits apply pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act when signs are posted. Single trip permits are subject to axle controls established by the Ministry of Transportation. Annual and project overweight permits are not valid during restricted months unless otherwise specified on the permit. |
| Key Roads | Schedule 2: Northern Ontario designated King's Highways full-length restrictions include Hwys 510, 518A, 524, 525, 528, 529, 529A, 534, and others including named secondary highways (70367304 series); partial-segment restrictions include Hwys 129, 516, 518, 520, 522, 523, 527, 532, 533, 535, 539, and others. Schedule 3: Named territory roads across North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, New Liskeard, Thunder Bay, and Kenora/Dryden areas. Full listings at 511on.ca/list/seasonalloads. |
| Exemptions | Annual and project overweight permits are not valid in MarchApril (Southern Ontario) or MarchMay (Northern Ontario) unless otherwise specified on the permit. Single trip permits may be issued for overloads on highways not designated in Schedules 1, 2, or 3, subject to MTO axle controls. Raw Forest Products freeze-up period is no longer in effect for all areas. |
| Penalties | Not specified |
| Contact | Ministry of Transportation Ontario 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 April 5, 2026 @ 11:59PM on designated King's Highways under Schedule 2 (Northern Ontario, through May 31, 2026) and Schedule 3 (Northern Ontario designated King's Highways and roads in unorganized territories, through June 30, 2026). Schedule 1 (Southern Ontario King's Highways, seasonal window March 1 April 30, 2026) currently shows no active restrictions listed as "None at this time."
Restrictions apply only when signs are posted on designated highway segments. Drivers must confirm posted signage on affected route segments before assuming a restriction is or is not in effect.
The Raw Forest Products freeze-up period is no longer in effect for all areas as of the April 3, 2026 status observation.
Status observed at: 2026-04-03T00:00:00. Source last retrieved: 2026-05-18T02:05:11+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 April 5, 2026 @ 11:59PM; applies when signs are posted; pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act; includes full-length and partial-segment restrictions on numbered and secondary highways |
| Schedule 3 | Designated King's Highways and roads in unorganized territories (Northern Ontario) | March 1 June 30, 2026 | Active | Effective April 5, 2026 @ 11:59PM; applies when signs are posted; covers North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, New Liskeard, Thunder Bay, and Kenora/Dryden areas |
Schedule 2 Affected Highways (Northern Ontario)
Northern Ontario provincial highways have a Reduced Load Limit effective April 5, 2026 @ 11:59PM when signs are posted. Restrictions apply to entire highway lengths or specified segments depending on the route.
- Full-length restrictions include: Hwys 510, 518A, 524, 525, 528, 529, 529A, 534, and additional named secondary highways in the 70367304 series.
- Partial-segment restrictions include: Hwys 129, 516, 518, 520, 522, 523, 527, 532, 533, 535, 539, and others.
Full highway listings are available at 511on.ca/list/seasonalloads.
Schedule 3 Affected Territories (Northern Ontario)
Roads within named territories administered under the North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, New Liskeard, Thunder Bay, and Kenora/Dryden district offices are subject to Reduced Load Limits effective April 5, 2026 @ 11:59PM when signs are posted. Full road list available at 511on.ca/list/seasonalloads.
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 to Hwy 7 north of Sunderland, Hwy 7 to Regional Rd. 7B at Carleton Place, Regional Rd. 7B to Hwy 15, 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 April 3, 2026 status observation. No zone-specific restrictions are currently active under this designation.
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 when signs are posted. When signs are posted, affected highways carry a Reduced Load Limit for their entire length or specified segments.
Single trip permits are subject to axle controls established by the Ministry of Transportation at the 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 Schedules 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: 2026-04-03T00:00:00
- Source last retrieved: 2026-05-18T02:05:11+00:00
- Verify current segment details directly at the official source.
