Spring load restrictions start March 21 in north central, north seasonal load limit zones

WADENA— The Minnesota Department of Transportation will start spring load restrictions in the north central and north zones Monday, March 21 at 12:01 a.m. Wadena and Otter Tail counties are in both zones.

Spring load restrictions are already in effect in the south, southeast and metro zones.

Winter load increases have ended in the central zone.

Spring load restrictions will start in the central zone Friday, March 18, and winter load increases will end in the north central and north zones Saturday, March 19.

Seasonal load limit zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map online.

Start and end dates and other load limit information are shown at mndot.gov/loadlimits.

Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal, according to MnDOT.

Full-summer overweight permits can be issued, during the spring load restriction period, for travel on the interstate system only.

Middle-range overweight permits become available within each frost zone when spring load restrictions are lifted. Full summer overweight permits become available two to three weeks after spring load restrictions are lifted.

Ending dates for spring load restrictions are variable and based on how weather is affecting roadway strength, according to MnDOT.

MnDOT will report start and end dates on its 24-hour automated message center at 1-800-723-6543.

For questions about legal axle weight during SLR; Gross Vehicle Weight Schedule, call 651-350-2000.

For questions about oversize/overweight loads/permitting call 651-296-6000 or email ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us.

All changes are made with a minimum three calendar-day notice.

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit 511mn.org .