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Weight restriction programs

The frozen road period began in zone 1 on Thursday, January 19 at 12:01 a.m. Conditions in zones 2, 3, 4, and 5 do not meet criteria for frozen roads at this time. Declarations for any additional zones are dependent on conditions for each zone.

Introduction

From December 1 to May 1 every year, state highways in Wisconsin must withstand an extreme range of moisture and temperature conditions from -30 degrees fahrenheit to +70 degrees fahrenheit. These varying conditions affect the structural strength of the pavements and the base materials under the roadway.

There are three distinct programs that take advantage of the frozen pavement and sub-base conditions during the winter months and also protect pavement's weak conditions during the springtime freezing and thawing period. How do we determine when it's frozen or thawing?

These three programs include:

1. The frozen road declaration that is normally in effect from mid-December to late February or early March).
2. The Class II roads (typically lasts from early March until the first or second week in May).
3. The springtime posted roads program (normally from the second week in March until late April or early May).

All three of these programs apply only to the state highway system. Local county or township road maintenance authorities are responsible for determining when their roads are either frozen or thawing and whether sections should be posted for weight limitations. Questions related to weight restrictions on local or county roads should be referred to the maintaining authority for those roads. Regional transportation offices can be contacted to answer specific questions related to the state highway system in their region.

Important things to know with respect to permits involving 98,000 pounds on 6-axles:

• The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is the only agency that may issue a “Raw Forest Products Permit (RS Permit) per Wis Statute 348.27(9m)(a)4.
• The RS Permit authorizes transport of “raw forest products” at gvw of 98,000 lbs on vehicles or vehicle combinations with six or more axles none of which may exceed the axle weights set in the statute.
• During the spring thaw period established by WisDOT highway maintenance engineers, the RS Permit is suspended on local roads, but the permit authorizes transport on the State Trunk Highway System and connecting highways as defined in state law. The authorized routes include numbered State and US routes except any Interstate route and any route marked as a “Business Route.”** All “connecting highways” are marked as State or US routes.
  • Vehicles and vehicle combinations operating with the RS Permit may transport over “Class II” highways, but may not exceed posted limits for bridges or culverts.
• Local maintenance officials wishing to allow operation of vehicles hauling “raw forest products” on roadway within their jurisdiction may issue a “General Permit” per s.348.27(3). When operating under this permission, the permit must be carried on the vehicle, per s.348.28.

**The sole exception is the highway signed as Business 51 between exit 171 and Grand Avenue in Rothschild because this roadway is still State maintained.

Detailed Explanation of Statute 348.27(9m)(a) 4.

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Questions about weight restriction program or contents of this page:
Mike Sproul, Michael.Sproul@dot.wi.gov
Questions about overweight/oversize permits:
Motor carrier services, oversize-permits.dmv@dot.state.wi.us, (608) 266-7320
Last modified: January 31, 2012