The Town of Huntsville will be lifting half-load restrictions on all roads, effective May 6, 2024.
Every year from March to May the Muskoka municipalities put half-load, or reduced/seasonal load restrictions on select roadways. During this period of time:
- Vehicles are restricted to load limits of 5 tonnes per axle
- There is limited truck and transport access to these areas
Reason for weight requirements
In the spring, as frost comes out of the ground and moisture comes out of the road bed:
- Roads become softer and weaker
- Heavy loads on roads can cause it to sink and break apart, which can lead to permanent damage
- Half-load restrictions are put in place to protect our roads and road beds from being damaged
- Reduces the need of having to re-build a road after every spring thaw (that could get costly for our taxpayers)
About weight requirements
Vehicles over a certain weight class are not permitted to use the roadway. This includes larger vehicles like:
- dump trucks
- delivery trucks
- concrete trucks
- heavy equipment floats that haul excavators, bulldozers and cranes
Vehicle exceptions
Passenger vehicles are exempt from these restrictions.
Road exceptions
Portions of Town roads that the reduced load period does not apply to:
| Road name | From and To |
| Centre Street | From Main Street District Road #3 to Highway 60 |
| Hanes Road | From District Road #2 to Howland Drive |
| Falcon Road | From District Road #2 to Huntsville Industrial Supply |
| Crescent Road | From District Road #3 to 1 Crescent Road |
| Domtar Road | From District Road #3 to Panolam Main Entrance |
| Old North Road | From Highway 11 to Fanotec |
| Lakewood Park Drive | From District Road #3 to West Airport Road |
| West Airport Road | From Lakewood Park Drive to Canusa |
| Greer Road | From Highway 11 to South Mary Lake Road District Road #44 |
| Lindgren Road West | From Highway 11 to the end of Lindgren Road West |
| Payne Drive | From Centre Street North to Dufferin Street North |
| Dufferin Street North | From Payne Drive, Northerly to Uponor Yard |
| Stephenson Road 8 East | From Greer Road to Muskoka Ready Mix |
| Stephenson Road 2 East | From Highway 11 to North Muskoka River Road |
| Old Ferguson Road | From Highway 11 to The Garage at 315 Old Ferguson Road |
| Howland Drive | From Centre Street to Hanes Road |
Visit the District of Muskoka website for district road half-loads and exceptions list.
Time of year
With spring thaw and changes in weather, half-load restrictions are generally March 1 to May 31. The roads are given time to shed winter frost. Subscribe to our news and notices to stay informed when half-loads are in effect.
How residents can help
Consider alternate routes
When a half-load restriction is in effect, the road is off limits to heavy transports. However, there may be alternate routes that can be taken in order to reach the destination. This may require additional permits such as a road occupancy approval permit.
Plan spring building projects
If your building project takes place in the spring (busiest time of year in the building industry), knowing about half-load restrictions in your area will help you in planning your project.