LANSING - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced on Tuesday they along with other local agencies are enacting spring weight restrictions to protect roads.

MDOT states the restrictions will begin at 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2.

The weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways in the entire state of Michigan.

MDOT states, “All state trunklines will have weight restrictions imposed and enforced. 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. During the spring thaw, the roadbed softened by trapped moisture beneath the pavement makes it more susceptible to damage. This contributes to pothole problems already occurring due to this winter's numerous freeze-thaw cycles.”

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.


•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.


•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, and maximum speed of 35 mph for some vehicles.

Drivers must follow the speed limits for weight restricted roads, per state law. Go online for speed restrictions for trucks and the rules for propane fuel delivery and public utility vehicles.

MDOT FULL PRESS RELEASE ON RESTRICTIONS