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Winter Truck Load Increases Begin Jan. 4 for North Frost Zones

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The Minnesota Department of Transportation this week announced that beginning Monday, January 4, winter truck load increases will begin on unrestricted highways in the north frost zones of the state.

Trucks will be allowed to operate up to 10% over the legal maximum load limit on unrestricted highways during the winter load increase period; however, the Minnesota Department of Transportation warns that trucks must still be in compliance of current registration weight laws and not exceed gross weights.

The department urges drivers to check with local agencies before increasing any weights on city, county and township routes.

“The sign erected on the roadway governs the load limit in effect. A winter weight increase permit is required to take advantage of the 10 percent weight increase on interstate highways only; a permit is not required for state trunk highways,” the press release states.

From Minnesota Department of Transportation: 

For questions about legal weight/size trucking, call: Minnesota Department of Public Safety – State Patrol – Commercial Vehicle Enforcement; 651-405-6196 (select option 3, option 3).

For questions about over legal weight/size “heavy haul” trucking, call: Minnesota Department of Transportation, Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations – Oversize/Weight Permits, 651-296-6000 or email: [email protected].
The start and end dates for winter load increases are based on how weather is affecting roadway strength. These dates are established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change. The end date for winter load Increases is variable and drivers should check for updates throughout the year. Vehicle operators are required to check with MnDOT for the exact start and end dates.

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

For the most current information, go to MnDOT’s automated 24-hour message center at 800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, or locally at 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. This information is also published on the MnDOT seasonal load limits website at www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/.

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