The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced the removal of seasonal weight and speed restrictions on state trunkline highways in Mecosta, Newaygo, and Montcalm counties, effective 6 a.m. on Monday, March 31. This decision comes as frost levels recede and road conditions improve with the warming spring weather.
The lifting of restrictions will apply to all trunkline highways south of a line stretching from New Era in Oceana County to Port Sanilac in Sanilac County. This includes M-20, a critical route for commercial transportation and logistics, running from Big Rapids to Midland. For truckers and freight operators, this change will allow heavier loads to travel across the region without the need for compliance with seasonal weight limitations.
MDOT’s seasonal weight restrictions are implemented annually to protect road infrastructure from damage during the spring thaw. As frost begins to exit the ground, water can saturate roadbeds, making them unstable and more vulnerable to heavy vehicle traffic. To prevent structural road damage, MDOT temporarily limits axle weights and enforces reduced speed limits on affected roadways.
According to an MDOT news release, the department measures frost depth, observes real-time road conditions, and monitors weather forecasts to determine the appropriate time to lift restrictions. These weight restrictions remain in place until engineers confirm that the ground beneath the road surface is sufficiently thawed and dry enough to support normal vehicle loads.
While the restrictions are now lifted for much of southern Michigan, they remain in place north of M-20 in West Michigan and north of U.S. 10 and M-46 in the Thumb region, where frost remains deeper in the ground.
In coordination with the state trunkline update, county road commissions in Mecosta, Newaygo, and Montcalm counties will also lift seasonal restrictions on local roads starting March 31. The County Road Association of Michigan reported that as of this week, 10 counties in the southwest quadrant of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula had already removed restrictions. Another 10 counties, including the ones mentioned above, will follow suit in the coming days.
The easing of these restrictions marks a significant seasonal transition for Michigan’s transportation and agriculture industries, allowing for more efficient logistics, farm equipment movement, and construction activities.
Fleet managers and commercial drivers should continue to monitor updates from MDOT and county road agencies to stay compliant as the thaw progresses in other regions of the state.
Source:
https://www.bigrapidsnews.com/news/article/mecosta-newaygo-counties-lift-weight-20243538.php
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