Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Spring load restrictions are about to go into effect.
Starting March 5th, which is this Saturday, the maximum legal axle loads will be reduced to 65% of normal loads as prescribed by the Michigan Vehicle Code.
Examples of loads for vehicles with one steering axle are:
Maximum Gross Weight with 13.00 Front Tires
Truck Type
Single Axle: 23,400lbs
Tandem Axle: 32,500lbs
Tractor Trailer Types with 13.00 Front Tires
1 Rear Axle & 1 Trailer Axle: 35,100lbs
1 Rear Axle & 2 Trailer Axles: 44,200lbs
2 Rear Axles & 2 Trailer Axles: 53,300lbs
The restrictions apply to roads in Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon Counties.
No individual load limit signs will be posted on county roads but the restrictions will be enforced by law.
Maximum allowable weight will decrease slightly with narrower front tires.
Weight restrictions will be enforced by a certified Weighmaster and standardized truck scales seven days a week.
Further details of the restrictions can be found by contacting the County Road Commission’s office.
If a complete re-freeze occurs before the end of March, individual moving permits may be issued upon request.
For a complete list of roads, visit www.micountyroads.org
The Michigan Department of Transportation released this statement today (Tuesday):
Spring weight restrictions expanding Saturday, Monday
March 1, 2016 — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and local agencies are enacting additional annual spring weight restrictions:
– Effective at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 5, weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways from the Michigan/Indiana and Michigan/Ohio state line north to and including the Mackinac Bridge.
– Effective at 9 a.m. Monday, March 7, the weight restrictions will be expanded to cover all state trunkline highways for the entire state of Michigan, both Upper and Lower Peninsula. 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.
County road commissions and city public works departments put in place their own seasonal weight restrictions, which usually, but not always, coincide with state highway weight restrictions. Signs are generally posted to indicate which routes have weight restrictions in effect.
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.
###
Download MDOT’s Mi Drive traffic information app: www.michigan.gov/drive
www.michigan.gov/drive | www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT | www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT
