Nova Scotia has added a new “intermediate” class of highway weight limits to allow six-axle tractor trailers to carry heavier loads.
The roads, most of which were previously designated as “all other highways,” were reclassified at the trucking industry’s request, the province said Tuesday.
Most of the redesignated roads previously had a weight limit of 41,500 kg, but may now carry loads of 47,500 kg.
However, the increased weight allowance, by maximum gross vehicle weight, applies strictly to six-axle tractor tridem semi-trailer configurations on those local roads that have bridges and other structures that can support the additional weight.
“An increase of 6,000 kg on these tractor trailers will actually reduce pavement damage because fewer trips will be required to move a fixed amount of product,” said former agriculture minister Brooke Taylor, now the minister for transportation and infrastructure renewal, in a release Tuesday.
“In fact, because the weight of the trailer is being spread over more axles, it means there will be less wear and tear on the roads.”
