REVISED to include description of frost zone boundaries.
Minnesota Department of Transportation
NEWS RELEASE
March 11, 2014
Contact: Sue Roe, 651.366.4268
Spring truck weight restrictions begin March 14 for south, southeast and Metro frost zones
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Spring truck weight restrictions on state highways begin March 14 for Minnesota's South, Southeast and Metro frost zones, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Winter load increases and overweight permits remain in place for the state's Central, North-Central and North frost zones.
MnDOT limits truck weights to prevent damage to roads weakened during the spring thaw. Ending dates for spring load restrictions will be established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change.
The South Zone extends south from the southern limit of the Central Zone (US 12 – Hennepin county line) to the Iowa state line and east to the Metro Zone and then a line following and including Interstate 35. This zone includes Highway 19 along the southern border of Scott County.
The Southeast Zone extends south from the southern limit of the Metro Zone along, but not including, I-35 to the Iowa state line and east to the Wisconsin state line. This zone includes Highway 19 along the southern border of Dakota County.
The Metro Zone (Minneapolis – St. Paul metro area) includes Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. This zone does not include Highway 19 along the southern borders of Scott and Dakota counties.
Road restriction maps showing the locations of weight-restricted routes and state highways open to maximum 10-ton axle weights are listed at www.dot.state.mn.us/materials. Click on "Seasonal Load Limits," and then "Spring Load Restrictions" for the most up-to-date information.
The information is also available by calling MnDOT’s 24-hour automated message center at 1.800.723.6543 in the United States and Canada or by calling 651.366.5400.