Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, March 1, 2022:
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.
Effective 6 a.m. Friday, March 4, weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways from the Michigan/Indiana and Michigan/Ohio state lines north to and including M-46 in Muskegon County at the US-31 interchange in Muskegon, east to US-131, north to M-46, then continuing east on M-46 to Port Sanilac, ending at the M-25 intersection. State routes typically carry M, I, or US designations.
"When roads that have been frozen all winter begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground,” MDOT said. “During the spring thaw, the roadbed softened by trapped moisture beneath the pavement makes it more susceptible to damage. This also contributes to pothole problems already occurring due to this winter's numerous freeze-thaw cycles."
In the restricted areas, the following will apply:
MDOT determines when weight restrictions begin each spring by measuring frost depths along state highways, observing road conditions and monitoring weather forecasts. Weight restrictions remain in effect until the frost line is deep enough to allow moisture to escape and the roadbeds regain stability.
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.
