SPRING THAW RESTRICTIONS FOR INTERMODAL

To comply with the mandated requirements and avoid a backlog of loads requiring special handling, we will implement Spring Weight Restrictions in advance of the Quebec Government notice.

For customers shipping to and from the province of Quebec, Bison will implement reduced weight requirements, as outlined in Tables 1 & 2 below.

*As a reminder – some shipments may have Eastern Ontario destinations (Cornwall, Ottawa, etc.), but are serviced through the Lachine Terminal and will be required to adhere to these guidelines.

For rail into NB, restrictions are based on Zone limits, and loads should be vetted by Intermodal prior to commitment.

The annual start date for cargo weight restriction is still only ‘Predicted’, currently estimated for March 16th, and is regulated by the Quebec Provincial government. The timing depends on several factors, with the aim of minimizing damage to Provincial roads. Our plan is to have all loads that exceed the thaw-period weight limits arrive in or depart Quebec before March 16th.

Should the Province mandate an earlier start date, we will communicate any adjustments. All loads exceeding the prescribed thaw period weight limits will be subject to special handling charges.

Table 1 – Latest shipping date for deliveries in Quebec

Table 2:  Maximum Payloads – allowable content weight:

Spring Thaw Allowable Axle Weights:

Weight Restrictions Policy:

Bison will not ingest any containers with a payload more than the Government of Quebec Spring thaw weight restrictions after the “Last Shipment Date”.

• Scaling will be required prior to billing/ingate for ALL Intermodal shipments with a destination of PQ.
  • Axle Weights must comply with guidelines and should be provided to the IM Regional Coordinator as soon as scaling has been completed
• If a shipment is scaled as Overweight, the shipper must make the necessary adjustments to comply with loading guidelines prior to ingate.
  • All associated redelivery / Driver wait charges are to be assessed to the customer.
• A Customer Bulletin will be communicated when the weight restrictions are lifted. This is regulated by the Government of Quebec’s Ministry of Transport.