ST. PAUL, Minn. – Winter load increases will begin
Monday, Jan. 12, 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 weightincrease 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 questions about legal weight/size trucking, call:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety - State Patrol - Commercial Vehicle
Enforcement; 651-405-6196 (select option 3, option 3).
For questions about over legal weight/size ‘heavy haul’
trucking, call: Minnesota Department of Transportation, Freight and Commercial
Vehicle Operations - Oversize/Weight Permits, 651-296-6000 or email: ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us.
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.
For the most current information, go to MnDOT’s automated
24-hour message center at 800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, or locally at
651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. This information is also
published on the MnDOT seasonal load limits website at www.mrr.dot.state.mn.us/research/seasonal_load_limits/sllindex.asp.
