NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 23, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Victor Lund, Traffic Engineer
218-625-3873
Spring load restrictions announced for St. Louis County roads in North and North Central Zones
Spring load restrictions have been announced for the North-Central and North frost zones of Minnesota. Restrictions will go into effect on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. These two zones include all county highways in St. Louis County.
The restrictions are as follows:
Unpaved roads are restricted to five tons per axle. Unpaved roads are typically not posted because Minnesota Statutes automatically reduce the load capacity on unpaved roads during the spring load restrictions period. Unpaved roads may accommodate higher axle weights if postings are in place indicating a higher axle weight.
Paved roads that are restricted will be posted with the maximum axle weight. Paved roads that are not posted remain at 10 tons per axle.
School buses, vehicles transporting milk, public and cooperative utility maintenance vehicles, recycling and garbage vehicles, and cargo tank vehicles delivering home heating fuel are provided special allowances by Minnesota Statutes. The Minnesota Governor approved Executive Order 23-04, which exempts vehicles used to pump or transport sewage from septic systems from spring load restrictions while providing emergency septic system pumping services.
The ending date for spring load restrictions is based on how weather is affecting roadway strength. This date varies as weather conditions change, but typically occurs in May. St. Louis County load restriction maps can be viewed online at stlouiscountymn.gov/roadrestrictions.
Information on zone boundaries can be found on the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s website at mndot.gov/loadlimits.
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