Frozen Road Law Takes Effect Today
Saturday, January 4th, 2014 -- 8:29 AM
Beginning today (1/4/14), Wisconsin?s Frozen Road Law will be in effect statewide.The frozen road law allows heavier loads for trucks carrying salt and sand for winter maintenance, and peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise until approximately early March, unless thawing necessitates an earlier cancellation of the provision or continued cold weather allows for an extension of the declaration period.
The declaration is issued once the ground under highway pavement is frozen to a depth of at least 18-inches, allowing the maximum gross weight for trucks hauling salt and sand for maintaining roads and certain timber products in winter to go up to 98,000 pounds on vehicles with a minimum of five axles, from the normal 80,000 pounds.
The declaration means special permits for hauling the increased weights are not required; however, vehicles must be legally licensed at 80,000 pounds to handle the increased weights.
The higher weight limits do not apply to county or local roads unless authorized by the local agency having maintenance authority. Also, higher weights may not be transported on any roads or bridges specifically posted for lower weight limits.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.