Frozen road declaration ends south of Highway 64

Spring weight restrictions could begin on Douglas County roads Monday, the same day restrictions go into effect on state highways south of State Highway 64, which runs past Bloomer, Medford and Antigo.

The Douglas County Highway Department suspends the frozen road declaration at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Spring weight restrictions may go into effect at the same time depending on weather conditions. Contact the highway department offices, (715) 374-2575, or check the Douglas County Web site at www.douglascountywi.org/ for more information.

Spring weight restrictions require a load reduction to a maximum of a six-ton load for a single axle and 10-ton load for a tandem axle. Highway maintenance vehicles, school buses, emergency public utility vehicles, sewage haulers, refuse haulers and delivery trucks for retail businesses are exempt from the load restrictions.

Propane haulers and fuel oil haulers may exceed the imposed restrictions by two tons per axle, but are advised to top off customers’ tanks before the spring load restrictions. Bulk milk truck drivers may apply for a special hauling permit that exempts them from the load restrictions. The permit defines the designated route to be utilized.

Spring load restrictions remain in force until they are lifted, usually around mid-May.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation declares weight restrictions go into effect on and south of State Highway 64 at 12:01 a.m. Monday. WisDOT has yet to determine when the frozen road declaration will be suspended on the remaining northern state highways.

A map depicting where and when the frozen road and spring thaw declarations are effective and where state highways are posted is available at: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/truck/weightrestrictions.htm. Information on overweight permits can be found at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/carriers/osowgeneral.htm. Up-to-date information on the spring thaw period is also available by calling (608) 266-8417.

Spring thaw weight restriction means divisible load permits, such as for pulpwood hauling or garbage transport, are suspended on all state highways. Use of other state-issued, single-trip permits is restricted on Class II state highway sections.

Tags: roads, douglas, county, frozen, restrictions, weight