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Beginning 6 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, seasonal weight restrictions will be in effect and strictly enforced on all county roads under jurisdiction of the Ottawa County Road Commission (OCRC).
These restrictions are intended to protect the integrity of the road when frost is coming out of the ground. On roads with seasonal restrictions, normal legal loads must be reduced by approximately 35 percent and truck vehicle speeds reduced to 35 mph.
In addition to the OCRC, other area jurisdictions also plan to implement seasonal weight restrictions over the next several days. Below is a table showing when regional road agencies plan to implement seasonal weight restrictions:
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Local Road Agency
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2025 Start Date (restrictions begin at 6 a.m.)
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Allegan County Road Commission
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Monday, March 3
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Barry County Road Commission
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Monday, March 3
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Calhoun County Road Department
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Thursday, Feb. 27
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Ionia County Road Department
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Monday, March 3
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Road Commission of Kalamazoo County
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Friday, Feb. 28
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Kent County Road Commission
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Monday, March 3
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City of East Grand Rapids
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Monday, March 3
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City of Grand Rapids
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Monday, March 3
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City of Grandville
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Monday, March 3
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City of Kentwood
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Monday, March 3
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City of Walker
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Monday, March 3
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Mason County Road Commission
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Friday, Feb. 28
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Road Commission for Montcalm County
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Monday, March 3
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Muskegon County Road Commission
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Friday, Feb. 28
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Newaygo County Road Commission
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Monday, March 3
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Oceana County Road Commission
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Friday, Feb. 28
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Ottawa County Road Commission
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Friday, Feb. 28
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Why seasonal restrictions are necessary
As warmer weather sets in, thawing beneath a road’s surface increases, creating a saturated roadbed where water becomes trapped between the pavement and the remaining ice below. Heavy trucks and equipment traveling over these weakened surfaces can cause permanent cracks and other damage.
How seasonal restrictions are determined
Enacting seasonal restrictions is based on multiple factors including solid frost depths, pavement and air temperatures, visual signs of pavement bleeding, pavement distress, saturation levels of roadbeds, and the ten-day forecast. Neighboring agencies work closely together to discuss these factors and align enforcement when possible.
Resources
The public can check the status of restrictions by calling the OCRC's 24-hour Seasonal Weight and Speed Restriction Hotline at 616-842-0086 or 1-800-394-0290, or by visiting our website at ottawacorc.com/.
For truck-related inquiries, contact the Michigan Center for Truck Safety at 800-MTA-4MTA (800- 682-4682).
More information regarding OCRC's seasonal restrictions and transportation permitting is available at ottawacorc.com/trucking/.
Statewide weight restriction information can be found at: Seasonal Weight Restrictions - Michigan County Road Association (micountyroads.org).
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