Posted: 12.28.2010

If you haul forest products or salt or sand for winter maintenance, the weight limits have increased on state and US marked highways in southeastern Wisconsin.  The frozen road declaration goes into effect on Wednesday, December 29 at 12:01 a.m. in Zone 5, which is roughly the southeastern portion of the state.  You can get a full map of the DOT zones here.

Once the ground under the highway pavement is frozen to predetermined depths, the gross weight for trucks hauling specified loads goes up to 98,000 lbs. 

Loads included in this declaration include peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise, not including woodchips, or salt and sand for winter maintenance.  These new rules will be in effect until early March, unless the unpredictable Wisconsin winter weather shortens or extends the timeframe. 

These new regulations apply to roads that have state or US numbers, and only a small portion of I-39 from Portage to Wausau.  You don't need any special permits to up the weight limit of the loads, but the vehicles must be licensed to handle the weight. 

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