MICHIGAN (WHTC-AM/FM) — At 6 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2019, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will lift spring weight restrictions on state roads from the southern Michigan border north to and including M-72 from the M-22/M-72 intersection in the Village of Empire, Leelanau County, then east on M-72 to US-131 in Kalkaska, south on US-131 to the south junction with M-72 then east o M-72, ending at US-23 in Harrisville, Alcona County.
Frost restrictions are still in effect for the remainder of the state and will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways north of this line. 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.
