Winter truck load increases begin Dec. 16 for north, north central frost zones

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 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 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 http://www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/.

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit http://www.511mn.org.

http://www.mndot.gov

Seasonal Load Limit Zone Boundary Descriptions

North Zone Extends south from the Canadian border to a line following and including TH 1 at the North Dakota state line east to TH 89, TH 89 south to US 2, US 2 east to TH 33, TH 33 south through Cloquet to I-35, I-35 north to the Carlton/St. Louis county line, and then south on that line to the Wisconsin state line.

North-Central Zone Extends south from the southern limit of the North Zone (TH1 – TH 89 – US 2 – TH 33 – I-35 – Carlton/St. Louis county line – WI state line) to a line following and including US 10 from the North Dakota state line east to Motley, TH 210 east to Brainerd, TH 18 east to I-35, I-35 south to TH 48, and then TH 48 east to the Wisconsin state line.

Central Zone Extends south from the southern limit of the North-Central Zone (US 10 – TH 210 – TH 18 – I-35 – TH 48 – WI state line) to a line following and including US 12 from the South Dakota state line to the Hennepin county line.

South Zone Extends south from the southern limit of the Central Zone (US 12 – Hennepin county line) to the Iowa state line and east to the Metro Zone and then a line following and including I-35. This zone includes TH 19 along the southern border of Scott county.

Metro Zone Minneapolis – St. Paul Twin City Metro Area includes the following counties: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington. This zone does not include TH 19 along the southern borders of Scott and Dakota counties.

Southeast Zone Extends south from the southern limit of the Metro Zone along, but not including, I-35 to the Iowa state line and east to the Wisconsin state line. This zone includes TH 19 along the southern border of Dakota county.