WisDOT: Frozen road declaration ending south of US 8 on Thursday, March 4th

For more information, contact:

Michael Sproul, WisDOT

(608) 266-8680, michael.sproul@dot.wi.gov

Paul Bernander, WisDOT

(608) 267-4541, paul.bernander@dot.wi.gov

Spring thaw and Class II restrictions will also begin next Monday in zones 2-5

Forecasts for warming weather throughout the state have prompted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to announce that the frozen road declaration will end in Zones 2-5, located south of US 8, as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, March 4. The frozen road declaration in the northernmost zone, Zone 1, is expected to end sometime next week. A map of affected highways in each of the five zones is available at: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/truck/weightrestrictions.htm.

Additionally, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 8, spring thaw and Class II restrictions will go into effect in all but the northernmost zone, Zone 1. A determination for Zone 1 will be made at a later date when conditions warrant.

State-maintained highways were declared in December and January to be ‘so frozen’ that no damage would result from increased load limits, thereby allowing higher weights for trucks hauling specific types of forest products (peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise, not including woodchips), or salt and/or sand.

Maps depicting where and when the frozen road, Class II, and spring thaw declarations are effective and where state highways are posted are available on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Web site at: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/truck/weightrestrictions.htm. Information on overweight permits can be found at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/carriers/osowgeneral.htm.

Up-to-date information on the frozen road declaration, Class II restrictions, and the spring thaw period is also available by calling (608) 266-8417.

It is during the transition period from roadbeds being frozen to when they have dried out and firmed up that heavy loads pose the greatest threat to highways. The spring thaw weight restriction means overweight permits for divisible loads, such as for hauling raw forest products or garbage, are suspended on all state highways.

Local county highways, town roads, and city and village streets may also be posted or limited to legal load limits or less. Decisions to place or lift weight restrictions on those roads are up to local units of government.