Michigan adjusts weight restrictions on many highways on Monday

The Michigan Division of Transportation is once more adjusting spring weight restrictions in an annual transfer to guard roads.

Efficient at 6 a.m. Monday, March 27, weight restrictions might be lifted on all state trunkline highways from the southern Michigan border north to and together with US-10 from the intersection of M-116 in Ludington, east to US-127 in Clare County, north to M-61 in Clare County, then east on M-61 to the intersection of US-23 in Standish, together with all the thumb space.

All state trunklines north of this line could have weight restrictions imposed and enforced. State routes sometimes carry M, I, or US designations. 

Within the restricted areas, the next will apply:

• On routes designated as “all-season” (designated in inexperienced and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there might be no discount in authorized axle weights.
• On routes designated as “seasonal” (designated in stable or dashed purple on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there might be a posted weight discount of 25 p.c for inflexible (concrete) pavements and 35 p.c for versatile (asphalt) pavements.
• All prolonged permits might be legitimate for oversize masses within the weight-restricted space on the restricted routes. Single-trip permits is not going to be issued for any chubby masses or masses exceeding 14 toes in width, 11 axles, and 150 toes in total size on the restricted routes.

When roads which have been frozen all winter start to thaw from the floor downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened floor. In the course of the spring thaw, the roadbed softened by trapped moisture beneath the pavement makes it extra inclined to break. This contributes to pothole issues already occurring resulting from this winter’s quite a few freeze-thaw cycles.

MDOT determines when weight restrictions start every spring by measuring frost depths alongside state highways, observing highway circumstances, and monitoring climate forecasts. Weight restrictions stay in impact till the frost line is deep sufficient to permit moisture to flee and the roadbeds regain stability.

For weight restriction info and updates, name 800-787-8960, or entry this info on MDOT’s web site at www.Michigan.gov/Truckers, beneath “Restrictions and Circumstances.” All-season routes are designated in inexperienced and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map, which is accessible on-line. You additionally could signal as much as obtain e-mail alerts.

Trucking corporations positioned in New Jersey and Canada can receive info by calling 517-373-6256.