DOT, Douglas County declare roads frozen

With temperatures dipping closer to normal, the Douglas County Highway Department declared County Trunk Highways, unless otherwise posted, within Douglas County eligible for increased weight limitations starting at 12:01 a.m. today.

The Wisconsin frozen road law also went into effect at that time in zone one, north of U.S. Highway 8. 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 highways or bridges that are specifically posted for lower weight limits.

The ending date of these declarations will be announced when conditions warrant, according to Douglas County Highway Commissioner Paul Halverson

The Frozen Road Declaration is normally in effect from mid-December to late February or early March. The 23-year average start date is Dec. 22 and the average end date is March 4.

Eligibility for increased weight limitations is restricted to vehicles hauling peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise not to include wood chips, or abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance.

For legally licensed vehicles hauling these loads, no special permit is required during this period. Legally licensed means currently registered for 80,000 pounds, or the maximum gross vehicle weight, if less than 80,000 pounds.

The gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle shall not exceed 23,000 pounds, or for two axles less than seven feet apart, 38,000 pounds, or for groups of three consecutive axles not less than 9 feet or more than 13 feet apart, a weight of 12,000 pounds more than permitted under Wisconsin.

The gross weight imposed on the highway by all axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed 98,000 pounds.

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