Each spring, the Ministère du transport du Québec determines the official dates of the thaw period for the three thaw zones covering Quebec. Zone 1 covers southern Quebec, including Montreal, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Quebec City and as far as Rivière-du-Loup. Zone 2 is located north of Zone 1, including the Laurentians, Témiscamingue, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord, Rimouski, Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Zone 3 includes Abitibi, Chibougamau-Chapais and the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve.
During periods of thaw, heavy vehicles travelling on the entire road network must reduce their loads and comply with the authorized limits because the road is 30 to 70% more fragile than usual.
This year, the official start and end dates of the thaw period are as follows :
Zone 1 : From Monday March 9th to Friday May 8th
Zone 2 : From Monday March 16th to Friday May 15th
Zone 3 : From Monday March 23rd to Friday May 22nd
However, these dates may be delayed or advanced depending on changing weather conditions.
The AP team will let you know of any possible changes and will keep you informed!