What Has The Cold Weather Been Good For? Minnesota Department Of Transportation Increases Winter Load Capacities

The recent cold snap has been good for one thing:  Increased load capacities for unrestricted highways in some parts of the state.   Those increased capacities work well for truck drivers, loggers, and others who depend on the cold and frozen ground to handle their extra loads.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation released the following information about those load restrictions - effective January 12:

Winter load increases will begin on unrestricted highways in the metro, south and southeast frost zones, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Winter load increases are already in effect for the north, north-central and central frost zones.

Vehicles will be allowed to operate up to 10 percent over the standard legal maximum loads on unrestricted highways during the winter load Increase period. However, trucks must comply with current registration weight laws and not exceed registered gross weight tolerances.

Drivers should check with local agencies prior to increasing any weights on city, county and township routes. The sign erected on the roadway governs the load limit in effect. A winter weight increase permit is required to take advantage of the 10 percent weight increase on interstate highways only; a permit is not required for state trunk highways.

For more information and details, click here.

The start and end dates for winter load increases are based on how weather is affecting roadway strength. These dates are established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change. Therefore, the ending date for winter load increases is variable and drivers must check for updates throughout the year. Vehicle operators are required to check with MNDOT for the exact start and end dates. All changes are made with a minimum three calendar-day notice.