The Michigan Department of Transportation and local agencies are enacting spring weight restrictions, an annual move the department said is needed to protect roads.
Effective 6 a.m. Monday, March 1, weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways from the Michigan border north to and including M-20 from the interchange with US-31 in Oceana County, then east on M-20 to US-131, then north on US-131 to M-20 in Mecosta County, then east on M-20 to US-10 in Midland County, then east on US-10 to M-25 in Bay City, including the entire Thumb region.
All state trunklines in this area will have weight restrictions imposed and enforced. State routes typically carry M, I, or US designations.
In the restricted areas, the following will apply:
- On routes designated as "all-season" (designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be no reduction in legal axle weights
- On routes designated as "seasonal" (designated in solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be a posted weight reduction of 25 percent for rigid (concrete) pavements and 35 percent for flexible (asphalt) pavements
- All extended permits will be valid for oversize loads in the weight-restricted area on the restricted routes. Single-trip permits will not be issued for any overweight loads or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles and 150 feet in overall length on the restricted routes.
For weight restriction information and updates, call 800-787-8960, or you can access this information on MDOT's website at www.Michigan.gov/Truckers, under "Restrictions." All-season routes are designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map, which is available online. You also may sign up to receive e-mail alerts. Trucking companies located in New Jersey and Canada can obtain information by calling 517-373-6256.