WisDOT Implements Frozen Road Law Across Northern Wisconsin
Key Takeaways
- WisDOT activated the frozen road law in northern Wisconsin, temporarily allowing heavier truck loads on select state and federal highways.
- Eligible winter maintenance and forestry vehicles can haul up to 98,000 pounds when pavement conditions meet freezing requirements.
- The policy helps protect roadways by limiting heavier loads to periods when frozen ground can safely support them.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) implemented its annual frozen road law for the northern half of the state yesterday, allowing heavier truck loads on designated highway when pavement conditions permit.
According to WQOW 18 News, the frozen road law is now in effect in Zones 1 and 2, which include Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn Counties, along with all counties north of them.
Frozen roads included in the designation span U.S. Route 10 near Stevens Point and numbered state and federal highways north of that corridor, according to a WisDOT news release.
The law will expand to other parts of the state as roadway conditions meet the required criteria, specifically when the ground beneath the pavement is frozen to a minimum depth of 18 inches, WisDOT reported.
Higher Weight Limits for Winter Maintenance Haulers
The frozen road law allows certain vehicles to carry heavier loads, including trucks hauling abrasives, rock salt and select forest products used for winter maintenance operations.
According to WisDOT, eligible vehicles may carry up to 98,000 pounds, compared to the standard 80,000-pound limit, provided the truck has at least five axles and is already permitted for the maximum weight limit. No special permit is required for the increased weight allowance.
The temporary weight increase is designed to protect roadway infrastructure by only permitting heavier loads when the frozen ground can support them, WQOW 18 News reported.
WisDOT determines eligibility using a combination of temperature forecasts and frost tubes, which are liquid-filled devices installed beneath pavement to measure freezing depth.
The higher weight limits do not apply to county or local roads unless specifically posted, and are not permitted on highways or bridges with posted weight restrictions below 80,000 pounds, according to WisDOT.
Sources: WisDOT, WQOW 18 News