Michigan Implements Spring Load Limitations Starting Friday, February 2

February 1, 2024

Spring Weight Restrictions

The Michigan Department of Transportation, alongside various local entities, has announced the implementation of spring weight restrictions. This annual initiative aims to safeguard the integrity of roadways across the state.

Starting at 6 a.m. on Friday, February 2, these weight limitations will be enforced on all state trunkline highways throughout Michigan. This encompasses all roadways bearing the designations M, I, or US, which are integral to the state’s transportation network.

Protecting Road Infrastructure

The initiation of these restrictions coincides with the seasonal thawing of roads. The melting of snow and ice, following a winter of freezing temperatures, leads to a softening of the ground beneath the pavement. This softened roadbed, laden with moisture, becomes more prone to damage, exacerbating the already prevalent pothole issues caused by the freeze-thaw cycles of winter.

Regulations and Permitted Loads

In areas under restriction, the following regulations apply:

“All-season” routes (marked in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map) will not experience any reduction in legal axle weights.
Extended permits for oversized loads will remain valid in weight-restricted areas on these routes. However, single-trip permits for overweight or over-dimensional loads will not be issued.
On “seasonal” routes (indicated in solid or dashed red), there will be a weight reduction of 25% for rigid pavements and 35% for flexible pavements, along with a 35 mph speed limit for certain vehicles.

Truck drivers are advised to adhere strictly to these speed limits on weight-restricted roads as per state law. Detailed information about these speed restrictions, including special provisions for propane fuel delivery and public utility vehicles, is available online.

Monitoring and Duration of Restrictions

The Michigan Department of Transportation determines the commencement of these weight restrictions by monitoring frost depths, road conditions, and weather forecasts. These restrictions will remain in place until conditions allow for the evaporation of moisture and the stabilization of roadbeds.

Local county road commissions and city public works departments also establish their seasonal weight restrictions, which often align with the state’s. Signage is typically displayed to indicate routes currently under these restrictions.