Fort Chipewyan Winter Road Load Limit Drops as Temperatures Rise

FORT MCMURRAY, AB. – Warmer weather is once again bringing load restrictions on the Fort Chipewyan winter road.

Starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 21, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) will reduce the daytime load limit on the route to 5,000 kg to help preserve the road’s integrity as temperatures rise. Heavier vehicles, up to 45,000 kg, will still be permitted to travel between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., when colder conditions help maintain the route.

The municipality warns that driving overweight vehicles on the winter road during the day can create serious safety hazards and delay the return to higher load limits. Drivers caught violating the restriction will face fines. In January, one driver was fined $6,000 for ignoring the weight limits on the ice road.

Lighter vehicles under 5,000 kg can continue using the road at any time. The RMWB advises all motorists to stay on the right-hand side of the road, stop at river crossings to allow only one vehicle at a time, and watch for crews working along the route.

The municipality will announce any further changes to load limits. Updates are available through the Winter Road Hotline (866-743-6111), municipal social media, and rmwb.ca/winterroads.