NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Tanja Mattonen, Assistant Traffic Engineer
218-625-3791 or mattonent@stlouiscountymn.gov
Spring road restrictions announced for portion of St. Louis County roads
Spring load restrictions have been announced for the North-Central Zone of Minnesota, which includes the southwest corner of St. Louis County. Restrictions will go into effect on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. The North-Central Zone includes the area south of US Highway 2 and west of State Highway 33.
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.
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 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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