COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Road Commission has announced that seasonal weight restrictions will go into effect at 6:00 AM on Monday, February 16, 2026. These “frost laws” are implemented to protect local roads from damage during the freeze-thaw cycle, as thawing beneath the road surface can create a spongy subsoil vulnerable to cracking under heavy loads.
Maximum allowable axle loading will be strictly enforced on all Branch County roads, with normal legal loads reduced by 35% on paved roads and 25% on concrete roads for all non-exempt vehicles.
Under these restrictions, the maximum axle loading is capped at 11,700 lbs for vehicles with axle spacing of nine feet or more. For vehicles with axle spacing between 3 feet, 6 inches and nine feet, the maximum loading is limited to 8,450 lbs. Operators of eligible exemption loads are required to obtain one permit per power unit.
The Road Commission says that tickets will be issued to any violators of these seasonal limits to ensure the integrity of the county’s infrastructure.
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