Structural deterioration and increased commercial traffic factor into Council's recent decision to reduce the load carrying capacity of the aging Smith Bridge. This stop-gap measure has been introduced to help prolong the bridge's service life by preventing damage and circumventing potential failures.
Proactive Measures to Prolong the Life of the Smith Bridge
As part of its effort to prolong the life of the Smith Bridge, MD Council has enacted temporary weight restrictions for certain vehicle types. Signage has been installed along 9th Street and the Old Smith Highway indicating the maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) allowed per truck type.
Crossing the Smith Bridge in a vehicle that exceeds these weight limits can damage both the bridge and your vehicle, meaning you or other bridge users may not be able to cross safely. If your vehicle damages a bridge, you may be held liable for the cost of repairs.
Any bridge that that cannot safely support all legal vehicles must be weight restricted. The new weight restriction signage displays the maximum vehicle weights the Smith Bridge can safely support.
If the Smith Bridge factors into your travel route, you should review this page to familiarize yourself with the new weight restrictions — whether you drive a Civic or a cement truck.
Understanding the posted weight limits
It is your responsibility as a driver to know your vehicle and load; understand posted signage; and obey the weight limits. Here's a primer on what the limits mean.
Single Unit Truck: This vehicle can weigh no more than 23 tonnes GVW, or 23,000 kg. Note that the image shows one chassis with no separation between tractor and trailer.
Standard Semi Truck: This icon indicates that the bridge can only carry a truck of this configuration weighing a maximum of 41 tonnes, or 41,000 kg.
Combination Truck: A single-unit vehicle pulling a trailer. The bridge can only carry a truck of this configuration weighing a maximum of 53 tonnes, or 53,000 kilograms.
CONTACT TRANSPORTATION
Cody Borris
Transportation Manager
| cody.borris (@) mdlsr.ca | |
| Phone | 780.849.4888 |
| Toll-Free | 1.866.449.4888 |
| Fax | 780.849.4939 |
IF YOUR VEHICLE AND LOAD EXCEED THE POSTED CAPACITIES:
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Take an alternate route that can legally and safely carry your vehicle;
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Reduce your load and make multiple trips; or
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Contact the Transportation team to see if accommodations can be made to allow you to cross safely
WHILE THE MD IS LARGELY RELYING ON DRIVER COMPLIANCE, THE SMITH BRIDGE IS BEING MONITORED. ANY WEIGHT INFRACTIONS WILL BE ENFORCED ACCORDINGLY.
What vehicles are affected by the weight restrictions?
As the temporary weight restrictions come into play, residents have asked whether the Smith Bridge is safe for the travelling public. Explore the vehicle types and associated average weights below and breathe easier about your daily commute.
Vehicle types routinely used by the travelling public fall well below the weight restrictions.
Use the arrow icons to see different vehicle types and their respective average weights.
Even larger vehicles in the community fall below the new weight limitations.
Use the arrow icons to see different vehicle types and their respective average weights.
Heavy commercial vehicles must be mindful of height, weight and breadth limitations.
Use the arrow icons to see different vehicle types and their respective average weights.
Answers to common questions about the bridge restrictions
2022 Applications
The application of dust control agents shall be carried out by the MD of Lesser Slave River at no charge on municipal roads as follows:
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Major intersections
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Hazardous school bus stops due to poor alignments
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Hamlets
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Extensive residential developed areas
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Cemeteries
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Industrial parks
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Residences located within 100 metres of local roads on which traffic flows in excess of 150 vehicles daily
Dust control agents are normally applied after the lifting of spring road bans, and as equipment and materials become available.
Why does the MD need to restrict traffic on the Smith Bridge?
As a bridge approaches the end of its service life, load restrictions are typically put in place to extend its life span to the degree possible. Deterioration taks an accelerated curve toward the end of a bridge's life, and the MD needs to take proactive steps to slow this curve down.
I've heard the term "urgent" being used. Should I be concerned?
In addition to weight restrictions, what else is being done?
What type of interim repair work is being contemplated?
How are these new weight restrictions being enforced?
If I need to exceed the weight restrictions, what are my options?
IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE WEIGHT AND CONFIGURATION OF YOUR VEHICLE AND LOAD, AND TO COMPLY WITH POSTED WEIGHT RESTRICTION SIGNAGE.
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