ST. PAUL, Minn. – Winter truck load increases will begin
Friday, Dec. 16, on unrestricted highways in the north and north central frost
zones, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
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 before 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 over legal weight/size “heavy haul”
trucking, call MnDOT’s Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations -
Oversize/Weight Permits, 651-296-6000 or email: ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us.
For questions about enforcement call the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety - State Patrol - Commercial Vehicle Enforcement;
651-405-6196 (select option 3, option 3).
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. The end date for
winter load increases is variable and drivers should 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-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.dot.state.mn.us/materials/.
For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.
