Michigan continues rolling back Spring highway weight restrictions

The Michigan Department of Transportation continues to adjust annual spring weight restriction areas in an annual move to protect roads.

Effective at 6 a.m. Monday, March 6, weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways within the following areas of Michigan:

• MDOTHighways north of a line on M-46 in Muskegon County from the US-31 Business Route in the city of Muskegon, then east to US-131, then north on US-131 to M-46, then east to the intersection of M-25 in Port Sanilac Sanilac County
• Highways south of a line on M-55 from the US-31 intersection in Manistee County east to M-66 in Missaukee County, then north on M-66 to M-55 in Missaukee County, then east on M-55 to the intersection of US-23 in Tawas in Iosco County.

All state trunk lines between these two lines 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.

When roads that have been frozen all winter begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground. During the spring thaw, the roadbed softened by trapped moisture beneath the pavement makes it more susceptible to damage. This contributes to pothole problems already occurring due to this winter's numerous freeze-thaw cycles.

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 and Conditions." 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.