The Michigan Department of Transportation and other local agencies are working together to keep roads safe by adjusting the annual spring weight restriction areas. As of 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26, all state trunkline highways from the southern border of Michigan up to and including US-2/US-141 at the Menominee River bridge near Iron Mountain, and then east on US-2 to St. Ignace, followed by north on I-75 to the M-134 interchange and further east on M-134, including Drummond Island, have lifted their weight restrictions.

Despite the lifting of weight restrictions on certain Michigan highways, frost restrictions are still in place throughout the rest of the state. These restrictions will be enforced on all state trunkline highways located to the north of the US-2/M-134 line, as well as on M-185 located on Mackinac Island. State routes, which are usually identified by M, I, or US designations, will be affected by these frost restrictions.

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 comes to an end, roads that have been frozen throughout the season begin to thaw. This causes the melting snow and ice to saturate the ground beneath the pavement, which softens the roadbed. As a result, the softened roadbed becomes more vulnerable to damage during the spring thaw, especially due to trapped moisture. This phenomenon contributes to the problem of potholes, which are already occurring due to the repeated cycles of freezing and thawing that have taken place 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.