Winter Load Increases end Feb. 24 in South, Southeast frost zones

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Transportation will end winter load increases in the South and Southeast frost zones on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

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

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 (axle weight limits).

MnDOT will report start and end dates on its 24-hour automated message center at 1-800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, and locally at 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

For questions about legal axle weight during SLR; Gross Vehicle Weight Schedule, call: Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Patrol – Commercial Vehicle Enforcement 651-350-2000

For questions about oversize/overweight loads/permitting, call: Minnesota Department of Transportation Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations – Oversize/Overweight Permits 651-296-6000

Or email:  ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us

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

More information

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

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Seasonal load restrictions are described in Rochester Code of Ordinances Sec. 11-7-13

During the spring thaw imposed by the state department of transportation, truck routes still have 80,000 lb load limits with maximum 20,000 lbs per axle, but any truck that deviates from a truck route to reach their destination is restricted to 14,000 lbs per axle on non-truck routes. Oversize Vehicle permits are only issued in emergency situations while spring load restrictions are in effect.

The City of Rochester appreciates adherence to these requirements to maintain the quality of roadway surfaces and integrity of public infrastructure.

For info on the state's seasonal load limits, including start and end dates, visit MnDOT's Seasonal Load Limits website.