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Springtime posted roads (state numbered highways only)

The frozen road period began in zone 1 on Thursday, January 19 at 12:01 a.m. Conditions in zones 2, 3, 4, and 5 do not meet criteria for frozen roads at this time. Declarations for any additional zones are dependent on conditions for each zone.

Some roadway sections are too weak to withstand even the legal load limit (80,000 pounds) during the springtime freezing and thawing period. These highway sections have signs posted indicating the allowable weight limits during the period normally from the second week in March till late April or early May. There are approximately 170 miles (13 segments) of state highways that are posted during the springtime freezing and thawing period. The 13 segments account for less than 2 percent of all state highways.

For information on particular roadway postings, truckers are urged to contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) personnel who represent the county where the roadway is located as identified on the map and roadway list below.

The WisDOT regional highway operations offices may exempt vehicles carrying certain commodities or which are used to perform certain services as specified by WisDOT's regional highway operations office from posted road restrictions if such exemptions are reasonable and necessary to promote the public health, safety, or welfare (such as for school buses, heating fuel, or milk). Vehicles used to transport material pumped from a septic or holding tank may be declared exempt from posted road restrictions by the WisDOT regional highway operations offices if, because of health concerns, materials needed to be removed from a septic or holding tank within 24 hours after the vehicle operator is notified. Within 72 hours after operating such a vehicle, the operator of the vehicle shall notify the WisDOT regional highway operations office that the vehicle traveled over a posted road. (Reference: State Statutes 349.16 (3)

• Map - Springtime posted roads (1.5 MB) (Updated January 9, 2012)
• Springtime posted roads list (Updated January 17, 2012)
• Maintenance manual (6-5-15) (Updated January 17, 2012)

Local county or township road maintenance authorities are responsible for determining when local and county roads should be posted for weight limitations. Questions related to weight restrictions on local or county roads should be referred to the maintaining authority for those roads.

Important things to know with respect to permits involving 98,000 pounds on 6-axles:

• WisDOT is the only agency that may issue a “Raw Forest Products Permit (RS Permit) per Wis Statute 348.27(9m)(a)4.
• The RS Permit authorizes transport of “raw forest products” at gvw of 98,000 lbs on vehicles or vehicle combinations with six or more axles none of which may exceed the axle weights set in the statute.
• During the spring thaw period established by WisDOT highway maintenance engineers, the RS Permit is suspended on local roads, but the permit authorizes transport on the State Trunk Highway System and connecting highways as defined in state law. The authorized routes include numbered state and US routes except any Interstate route and any route marked as a “Business Route.”** All “connecting highways” are marked as State or US routes.
  • Vehicles and vehicle combinations operating with the RS Permit may transport over “Class II” highways, but may not exceed posted limits for bridges or culverts.
• Local maintenance officials wishing to allow operation of vehicles hauling “raw forest products” on roadway within their jurisdiction may issue a “General Permit” per s.348.27(3). When operating under this permission, the permit must be carried on the vehicle, per s.348.28.

**The sole exception is the highway signed as Business 51 between exit 171 and Grand Avenue in Rothschild because this roadway is still State maintained.

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about weight restriction program and the content of this page:
Mike Sproul, Michael.Sproul@dot.wi.gov
Questions about overweight/oversize permits:
Motor carrier services, oversize-permits.dmv@dot.state.wi.us, (608) 266-7320
Last modified: January 31, 2012