Saskatchewan changes commercial vehicle regulations

The Saskatchewan government has amended its vehicle weight and dimension regulations in order to harmonize rules governing truckers and shippers.

Among the major changes to the regulations is the expansion of the list of highways on which B-trains can operate at 63,500 kilograms—the same weight B-train truck tractor and semi-trailer combinations are allowed to run in Alberta and BC. The payload increase of 1,000kg is estimated to bump up productivity by 2.5 percent.

“This is just one of many changes we’ve introduced to harmonize rules for commercial carriers across Western Canada,” said Highways and Infrastructure minister Jim Reiter. “These and other amendments are aimed not only at harmonization but at increasing the profitability of shippers and making Saskatchewan an even more competitive place to do business.”

The list of eligible highways on which B-trains can operate at 63,500kg now includes the following:

•    Highway 6 from Regina to Melfort;
•    Highway 9 from Highway 1 to Yorkton;
•    Highway 13 from the Manitoba boundary to its junction with Highway 39;
•    Highway 18 from the Manitoba boundary to its junction with Highway 39;
•    Highway 39 from Highway 6 to Highway 1;
•    Highway 40, from its junction with Highway 4 to its junction with Highway 29.

The regulatory amendments include:

•    the introduction of tridem drive trucks and truck tractors into regulations, allowing these vehicles (used mostly by the petroleum and heavy construction industries) to operate without special single-trip or term permits;
•    the introduction of aerodynamic devices, wide-based single tires and lift axles that auto deploy. These are all initiatives that directly reduce operating costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

For a full list of amendments to the vehicle weight and dimension regulations and further explanation of the changes, visit www.highways.gov.sk.ca.