Spring Thaw, Class II road restrictions take effect statewide on Monday, March 31

For the City-Times

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has announced that effective Monday, March 31 at 12:01 a.m., the frozen road declaration will end and Spring Thaw and Class II road restrictions take effect in Zone 1 (north of US 8). The announcement means that as of March 31, the frozen road law ends, and Spring Thaw and Class II road restrictions are effective statewide.

Class II roads include about 1,400 miles of state highways susceptible to damage from heavy trucks during the spring thaw period as frost leaves the ground. More information regarding Class II roadways and roadway postings can be found on WisDOT’s website at: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/truck/weightrestrictions.htm.

Declaration of Spring Thaw also means suspension of most divisible load overweight permits. Because of the Spring Thaw, WisDOT permit numbers beginning with any of the following two-letter codes are suspended until further notice: AC, AG, FF, MI, PB and RF.  If the permit number begins with “GG,” please contact the WisDOT Permit Office at (608) 266-7320. More information on overweight permits can be found at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/carriers/osowgeneral.htm. A recorded message with information on road restrictions is available by calling (608) 266-8417.

County highways, town roads, and city and village streets may also be posted or limited to legal load limits or less. Decisions to place or lift weight restrictions on those roads are up to local units of government.