COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Road commissions in Branch and Hillsdale Counties have announced that seasonal weight restrictions commonly known as “frost laws” will go into effect Monday morning at 6:00a.m., while the Calhoun County Road Department will implement similar restrictions starting at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 17.
These annual measures are triggered by rising temperatures that cause the ground to thaw; as ice melts beneath the pavement, water becomes trapped, creating a “spongy” subsoil that makes roads highly susceptible to permanent damage and cracking under heavy loads.
While the restrictions are in place, non-exempt commercial vehicles must reduce their legal axle loads by 35% on paved asphalt roads and 25% on concrete surfaces. In addition to weight limits, truck speeds are restricted to 35 mph on all affected routes.
Drivers can find specific road designations and permit information on the Branch County Road Commission website or through the County Road Association of Michigan’s statewide map.
The duration of these “frost laws” will depend on weather conditions, remaining in effect until the frost line is deep enough to allow moisture to escape and the roadbeds to regain stability.
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