Govt to expand axle weight testing to Regions Three, Five, Six

The Ministry of Public Works is preparing to expand axle weight testing to Regions Three, Five and Six, as part of its ongoing efforts to enforce weight restrictions and protect road infrastructure.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill called on Sunday for an end to reckless practices by operators of heavy-duty vehicles.

“We have got to stop the recklessness. The weight restrictions and axle load testing continue, and in the next couple of days, we will be rolling out axle weight testing in Regions Five, Six and in several parts of Region Three,” he said.

The ministry has already begun enforcing a 15-tonne per axle weight limit for trucks, marking the first phase of a nationwide initiative aimed at preserving the country’s road network.

Weigh-in-motion sensors alongside mobile testing teams are being utilised to monitor compliance and improve enforcement.

Minister Edghill said the programme will be expanded to ensure stricter control over the loads carried on roads and bridges.

“We will be expanding the axle load testing to ensure we have better weight controls on our roads and bridges, to ensure people are managing that carefully,” he added.

Under the measures, overweight vehicles are immediately clamped until their weight is reduced. Offenders may also face prosecution.

The regulations will focus on operators moving sand, loam, and stone, which are major causes of road damage from overloading.

Minister Edghill warned that such practices significantly reduce the lifespan of infrastructure.

He noted that although roads are designed to last around 20 years, they can deteriorate in seven years due to excessive weight.

Thus, the initiative, he said, is expected to extend the durability of roads, highways, bridges and village streets, while reducing maintenance costs and improving safety nationwide.