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MONTREAL, February 4, 2025 —This is a reminder to all Customers shipping to/from the Province of Quebec during the Provincially mandated Vehicle Load and Size Limits Regulation period, colloquial known as “Thaw Period”.

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.

The annual start date for cargo weight restriction is dynamic and is regulated by the Quebec Provincial government. The timing is dependent on a host of criteria with the intention of minimizing damage to Provincial roads. While there is no definitive start date for the annual weight restriction period, our plan is to have all loads exceeding the “Thaw period” weight limits arrive/depart Quebec before March 17. Should the Province mandate and earlier start date, all loads exceeding the prescribed “Thaw period” weight limits will be subject to special handling charges.

Link to Government site: Thaw period – Official dates - Transports et Mobilité durable Québec

Please note that payload weights in equipment to be delivered by CNTL must be reduced per the requirements below for shipments planned to arrive after the start-date noted above.

To assist our customers during this period of reduced payload:

CN will establish a "Latest Shipping Date" where customers may ship at regular payload weights from each terminal (based on the consignee receiving the traffic immediately upon arrival at the destination terminal).

Note, the shipping date will be referred to as the Reservation Date. CN’s online tools can assist in determining the Reservation Date and Trip Plan.

In the event of an overweight load, CN may arrange transloading, or use specialty equipment to deliver the load. Any transloading requirements will be done at the prevailing market rate to be confirmed. To ensure the specialty equipment is not detained, all deliveries must be live unloaded. The overweight arrangements will be made after receiving written confirmation that the payer understands the charges.

Overweight traffic delayed online, but shipped prior to the "Latest Shipping Date", will be delivered by CN without the application of overweight charges.

The following table shows the "Latest Shipping Date" relative to the start of CN’s Spring Weight Restrictions:



Table 1 – Latest shipping date for deliveries in Quebec’s Zone 1


Traffic Origin: Latest shipping date for spring 2025
Halifax 14 March
Moncton 14 March
Montreal 16 March
Winnipeg 3 March
Saskatoon 3 March
Edmonton 3 March
Calgary 3 March
Vancouver 3 March
Detroit 10 March
Chicago 10 March
Memphis 10 March
Jackson 10 March
New Orleans 7 March
Mexico 26 February

The maximum payload handled using CNR equipment during the Spring Weight Restriction period is:

Table 2 – Maximum Payloads and Axle Weights


53ft Dry 49,100 lb
53ft Heat 46,900 lb
53ft Reefer 47,000 lb
20ft Dry 51,600 lb
40ft Dry 52,500 lb
40ft Ecotherm
47,730 lb


Table 3 – Maximum gross weight


Steer and Drive Weights Cannot Exceed:
Steering 12,000 lb
Drives 34,100 lb
Tridem 46,300 lb

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Manager or Customer Experience Representative.

Thank you, we appreciate your business.

CN