UNDATED (WSAU) — Weight limits for heavy trucks are now in effect statewide.
DOT Highway Maintenance Supervisor Brett Matthews says the unseasonably warm temperature forced many maintenance departments to go into spring limits early
Matthews says some of the state’s roads were not built for the rigors of modern heavy trucks. “In the springtime, when the frost comes out of the roads, the roads become very wet and damp and they become spongy. Heavy loads driving on those roads will damage them significantly.”
Area affected roads including Wisconsin Highways 54, 107, 153, and 173. Matthews says you should be checking the signs posted on a road before you make your trip and plan accordingly. “Local and county roads will be handled by the municipality that’s responsible for those roads.”
The weight restrictions on state roads are 6 tons gross load for single axle vehicles and 10 tons gross load for tandem axle vehicles (any two axles under 8 feet apart). The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. Weight restrictions are effective as of noon on Friday, March 13, 2015 on the following state highways:
- WIS 54, Wood County, from the west Wood County line to WIS 80
- WIS 54, Wood County, from the south intersection with WIS 80 to 1 mile west of the intersection with WIS 73
- WIS 107, Marathon County, from Marathon County A to the Lincoln County line
- WIS 107, Lincoln County, from the Marathon County line to WIS 64
- WIS 107, Lincoln County, from Matthew’s Road to Lincoln County S
- WIS 153, Marathon County, from Marathon County J to the Shawano County line
- WIS 153, Shawano County, from the Marathon County line to US 45
- WIS 173, Wood County, from the north intersection with WIS 80 to Wood County G
- WIS 52, Langlade County, from WIS 55 to the north Langlade County line
Many of Marathon, Lincoln, Portage and Wood County’s Roads are also posted at this time. As always, make sure to check the road you’re driving on for the posted limit. If you do need a permit to travel on a road with a limit, make sure to contact your local or county highway department for authorization.
