Restrictions on vehicle axle loads will be introduced on Belarusian roads from March 20

March 12, Minsk /Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA/. Temporary restrictions on axle loads of vehicles will come into effect on the republican roads of Belarus from March 20, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. This is stipulated by the Ministry of Transport's resolution "On the introduction of temporary restrictions on axle loads of vehicles and self-propelled machines on public republican roads in 2010". According to the resolution, from March 20 to April 20, 2010, restrictions on axle loads ranging from 6 to 9 tons per single axle will be introduced on republican roads. The list of roads with permissible load restrictions has been compiled based on diagnostic results, meaning specific restrictions will be imposed on specific road sections in accordance with their condition. At the same time, restrictions will not be imposed on the main transit routes. These are roads M-1/E-30 Brest (Kozlovichi) - Minsk - Russian Federation border (Redki), M-2 Minsk - Minsk National Airport, M-6 Minsk - Grodno - Poland border (Bruzdgi), M-7 Minsk - Oshmyany - Lithuanian Republic border (Kamenny Log), M-8 Russian Federation border (Ezerishche) - Vitebsk - Gomel - Ukraine border (Novaya Guta), as well as approaches to Mogilev and Gomel, M-9 Minsk Ring Road, M-10 Russian Federation border (Selishche) - Gomel - Kobrin and approach to Gomel, M-11 Lithuanian Republic border (Benyakoni) - Lida - Slonim - Byten, M-12 Kobrin - Ukraine border (Mokrany), R-1 Minsk - Dzerzhinsk, R-20 Vitebsk - Polotsk - Latvian Republic border (Grigorovshchina), R-21 Vitebsk - Russian Federation border (Liozno), R-49 Dymovshchina (from road R-20) - Novka (to road R-25), R-131 Kalinkovichi - Mozyr (to road R-31), R-150 Khutor (from approach to Gomel) - Gomel; as well as individual sections of roads M-3 Minsk - Vitebsk, M-4 Minsk - Mogilev, M-5 Minsk - Gomel and approach to Zhlobin, R-23 Minsk - Mikashevichi, R-28 Minsk - Molodechno - Naroch, R-33 Rechitsa - Khoyniki (to intersection with M-10), R-58 Minsk - Kalachi - Myadel, R-99 Baranovichi - Volkovysk - Pogranichny - Grodno, R-123 Selets (from road R-93) - Mostok - Dribin - Gorki. Traditionally, temporary restrictions will not apply to vehicles carrying passengers, medicines, fuels and lubricants, seeds, animals, flowers, mail and postal cargo, perishable goods, and humanitarian aid, as well as transportation related to the prevention or liquidation of emergencies. Certain types of transportation may also be carried out without regard to temporary restrictions, provided a special permit for travel is obtained. Temporary road signs have been installed on the roads in accordance with the introduced restrictions, and strict control is exercised over the movement of trucks. According to the legislation, carriers are liable for road damage caused by vehicle movement in violation of restrictions. As the roads become ready to accommodate heavy vehicles, the restrictions will be lifted. "It is possible that on some highways, their validity period will be reduced depending on the specific situation," the Ministry of Transport said. "At the same time, if necessary, additional restrictions on mass and loads may be imposed during this period." The press service added that the experience of previous years shows the high effectiveness of seasonal restrictions for the country's economy. This fact is also confirmed by a comprehensive research study conducted by the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in 2007. A complete list of republican roads on which loads are restricted during the spring period, as well as the maximum axle loads allowed for vehicles traveling on the republican network during this period, can be found on the website of the Ministry of Transport. -0-