For the first time in its history, the MD of Foothills is putting a temporary weight ban on all municipal roads this spring.
MD council voted on April 18 to place a road ban on all paved and gravel roads in the municipality, with a load weight limit of 75 per cent across the Foothills – except on provincial highways – unless the limit is stated as lower.
“The amount of frost that’s in the roads that is coming out now, and then the moisture we just received (April 16) and the condition of the roads, we need to protect them and let them dry out,” said MD deputy director of operations Mike Gallant. “Hopefully it’s short-term and not long-term.”
Freeze-thaw cycles and larger amounts of snow than typical years have left some roads – like 232 Street East south of Highway 23, which leads to feedlots and the High River Hutterite Colony – nearly impassable with thick, muddy ruts.
The MD has closed 232 Street East until further notice due to its deteriorating conditions.
Warmer temperatures in the forecast are also causing some alarm, he said.
“I think we’re going to have some flooding because of the amount of snow that still has to melt, so they’re not in good shape now and they really won’t be once that happens,” said Gallant.
Though he said it’s nearly impossible to estimate what the cost would be to repair roads, Gallant said it would be “very costly” for the MD.
MD Reeve Larry Spilak said it’s not ideal to put a blanket road ban on all roads, but council had to look at the bigger picture.
“We’ve never done this before and we don’t want to, but we need to do it, otherwise we’ll incur some very huge costs in road repairs,” said Spilak.
He said council has always placed a 75 per cent ban on paved roads to preserve their stability during the spring, when the frost is coming out of the ground. This is the first time it will also be applied to gravel roads.
In previous years, unpaved roads were not under a ban, because at this time of year farmers and ranchers need to haul feed, grain and cattle, he said. As a predominantly agricultural jurisdiction, the MD has opted in the past to leave gravel roads open, he said.
“This year is an exception,” said Spilak. “The frost is so deep and the amount of snow pack we have just on the ground is leading to situations that have been unprecedented.”
Farmers and ranchers are still able to transport their goods, by calling in to the MD for a permit, he said. Wherever possible, they will be rerouted with their loads to use roads that are not being impacted as badly as others, he said.
He hopes it will be a very short-lived ban.
“As soon as it dries up we’ll be able to take the ban off the gravel roads at least and allow full passage for the farmers and the ranchers,” said Spilak.
To apply for a free permit, farmers must call 1-888-444-9288 with 24 hours’ notice and provide their name, 911 address and route to the nearest provincial highway.
Residents who notice poor road conditions can report them to MD Public Works at 403-652-2390.
