NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 2, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Victor Lund, Traffic Engineer
218-625-3830
Spring road restrictions announced for portion of St. Louis County roads
Spring road restrictions have been announced for the North Central zone of Minnesota, which includes the southwest corner of St. Louis County. Highways located in the North Central zone will be posted with spring load restrictions at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2017. The North Central Zone includes the area south of US Highway 2 and west of State Highway 33. Information on zone boundaries can be found on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) website at mndot.gov/loadlimits.
The restrictions are as follows:
Unpaved Roads: Any unposted unpaved roads are limited to five (5) tons per axle. Roads may accommodate higher than the five (5) ton limitation, only if the postings are in place.
Paved Roads: All paved roads will be posted with the effective per axle weight restrictions.
Highway maintenance vehicles, mobile library units, school buses, and emergency public utility vehicles fall under specific requirements as described in Minnesota Statute 169.87, Subd. 3, 4, 5 & 6. Propane and fuel oil haulers should consider topping off their customers’ tanks prior to the posting of spring load restrictions since their hauling vehicles are overweight on many of the posted County roads even when empty.
Load restrictions have not yet been announced for highways located in the North Zone, which includes the majority of St. Louis County, from north of US Highway 2 and east of State Highway 33. Overall load restrictions by zone are determined by MnDOT, though St. Louis County Public Works has the authority to post restrictions as needed on particular County roads.
Until load restrictions in both the North Central and North zones go into effect, the County is asking loggers and drivers of other vehicles typically affected by seasonal restrictions to please use common sense and voluntary compliance when hauling so roads will not need to be posted ahead of time. This includes using restraint during warmer day time periods when road damage would occur, and instead concentrating hauling during the evening and early morning hours of cooler temperatures when road surfaces are frozen.
The ending dates for spring load restrictions are based on how weather is affecting roadway strength. These dates vary as weather conditions change, but typically take place in May. Load restriction maps can be viewed online at stlouiscountymn.gov/roadrestrictions
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