Every year, the Michigan Department of Transportation along with local agencies, make necessary modifications to the spring weight restriction areas to safeguard the state’s roads. This is an ongoing process aimed at preserving the highways, and it involves making adjustments to the weight limits of vehicles allowed on the roads during this season.

Starting from 8 a.m. on Monday, April 24, weight restrictions will be removed on all state trunkline highways from the southern border of Michigan to US-2/US-141 at the Menominee River bridge west of Iron Mountain, and then further east on US-2 to St. Ignace. This means that vehicles will be able to carry heavier loads on these highways without any restrictions.

Although weight restrictions have been lifted on certain highways in Michigan, frost restrictions are still active for the rest of the state. These restrictions apply to all state trunkline highways located to the north of US-2 and M-185 on Mackinac Island. State routes are easily identified by their designations, which include M, I, or US. During this time, it is imperative to adhere to the imposed restrictions to prevent any damage to the roads.

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.

As winter draws to a close and the snow and ice begin to melt, the road surfaces in Michigan that have been frozen all winter start to thaw from the top downwards. This melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground and make the roadbed more vulnerable to damage during the spring thaw. The trapped moisture beneath the pavement softens the roadbed, making it more susceptible to damage, which further contributes to the pothole problems that have already arisen due to the numerous freeze-thaw cycles this winter.

For weight restriction information and updates, call 800-787-8960, or 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.