Winter Load Increases will begin on unrestricted highways
in the NORTH FROST ZONE at 12:01 AM on Thursday, December 14, 2017.
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. Please check with local agencies (cities, counties and townships)
prior to increasing any weights on their 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 questions about enforcement 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
Winter Load Increases starting and ending dates 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
the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the exact start and end
dates.
All changes are made with a minimum three calendar-day
notice.
As soon as a date is set, MnDOT will report this date on
its 24-hour automated message center at 1‑800‑723‑6543 for the USA and Canada,
and locally at 651‑366‑5400 for the Minneapolis/St Paul area. This information
is also published on the MnDOT Seasonal Load Limits website: www.mndot.gov/loadlimits
