ST. PAUL, Minn. – Winter
truck load increases will begin Thursday, Dec. 22, on unrestricted
highways in the central, metro, south and southeast frost zones,
according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Winter load
increases are already in effect for the north and north 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 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.mndot.gov/seasonal-loads.
For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.
