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 statewide on Monday
Forecasts for warming weather throughout the state have prompted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to announce that the frozen road declaration will end on and north of US 8 at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 6. The frozen road period ended south of US 8 on Thursday, March 4. A map of affected highways in each of the five zones is available here.
Additionally, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 8, spring thaw and Class II restrictions will go into effect statewide. Also at that time, divisible load overweight permits will be suspended on all state highways until further notice.
Current divisible load permits are valid between when the frozen road period ends and when the spring thaw and Class II period begins.
In December and January, state-maintained highways were declared 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 is available on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Web site. Information on overweight permits can be found here.
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.
