The County is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of all municipal roads, highways and bridges within its boundaries that are under its direction, control and management. A vital part of this responsibility is the protection of roadways during the spring thaw. Alberta’s all-season roads (paved or gravel) are quite fragile as frost “comes out of the ground” (melts). The roadbed becomes soft and spongy because water becomes trapped between the road surface and the layer of ice underneath.
The spring thaw can wreak havoc on regional roads when trucks, heavy equipment and heavy trailers travel over a susceptible road, causing irreversible damage, permanent cracks and potholes. This time of year can create serious structural damage to County roads and bridges if appropriate measures are not taken.
Lac Ste. Anne County has a Road Ban Order No. 06-2016 defining maximum allowable weights permitted on certain municipal roads and bridges which came into effect on Thursday, September 16, 2016 and remains in effect today.