Truck weight restrictions lifted on some highways

LANSING — Weight restrictions on some state highways and other roads have been lifted for the season.

These restrictions were lifted on highways from the southern Michigan border up through Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Eaton, Livingston and Macomb counties, according to the Department of Transportation, or MDOT.

Frost restrictions will still be in effect on all highways north of these areas until April or May, according to MDOT.

There are typically two types of routes MDOT uses when taking weight restrictions into account: seasonal and non-seasonal. 

Most seasonal routes are local city and town roads, while most non-seasonal routes are inter- and intrastate highways, Dan Weingarten, the department’s Superior Region communications representative, said.

Seasonal routes typically have stricter restrictions that coincide with other routes’ weight restrictions, he said.

If an overweight truck gets caught on a road with a weight restriction, the driver faces a fine based on the truck’s weight and the restriction, he said.

While restrictions can help preserve roads, they can also adversely affect trucking revenue.

“Spring load restrictions can dramatically reduce damage to our roadways,” Weingarten said, “but the timing of imposing and lifting the restrictions is critical.”