Annual spring weight restrictions to protect the state of Michigan, USA’s roads began on Monday, February 24, 2020. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced that all state trunkline highways within a certain area will be affected by the restrictions started at 6 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2020. The following 2 large areas are affected:
1: Highways north of a line on M-43 in the city of South Haven to:
East to US-131 in Kalamazoo County
South to I-94 in Kalamazoo County
East to I-69 in Calhoun County
North to Lansing
East on I-69 to Port Huron in St. Clair County
2: Highways south of a line on M-46 in Muskegon County from US-31 Business Route in the city of Muskegon to:
East to US-131
North on US-131 to M-46
East to I-75 near Saginaw
North on I-75 to M-25 near Bay City
East on M-25 to M-46 in Port Sanilac in Sanilac County—including the entire Thumb region
All state trunk lines, typically carrying M, I, or US
designations, between these two lines
will have weight restrictions imposed and enforced.
An MDOT release stated that when roads that have been frozen all winter begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground. 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.
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 roadbeds regain stability.
In the restricted areas, the following will apply:
• 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.
• 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% for rigid concrete pavements and 35% 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 create their own seasonal weight restrictions, which usually coincide with state highway weight restrictions. Signs are generally posted to indicate which routes have weight restrictions.
For the February 21, 2020 MLive Michigan News article titled, “Michigan weight restrictions to protect roads start soon”, please go to: www.mlive.com/news/2020/02/michigan-weight-restrictions-to-protect-roads-start-soon.html
Home Photo: OHM Advisors online article titled “Michigan’s Diverging Diamond Interchange Reaps Benefits” + added MDOT logo: www.ohm-advisors.com/insights/michigans-diverging-diamond-interchange-reaps-benefits
Photo (above): Michigan Radio NPR online news article titled “Pothole season starting bad, expected to worsen”: www.michiganradio.org/post/pothole-season-starting-bad-expected-worsen.
Map above: Google maps + MDOT Michigan image
Routes, bubbles, & text by Amy M Dean