Upcoming Limits for Spring Vehicle Weight on Roads
Mar 19, 2025 05:52AM ● By Editor
The Superior National Forest plans to reduce resource damage to roads like the above image by utilizing temporary spring road restrictions. USDA Forest Service image
From Superior National Forest - March 19, 2025
Forest managers remind commercial vehicle drivers that National Forest System roads within the Superior National Forest (SNF) are heading into seasonal load restrictions of four (4) or five (5) tons per axle, as posted.
Spring restrictions went into effect on Monday, March 17 for the west side of the SNF including the Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely, MN), Laurentian Ranger District (Aurora, MN), and LaCroix Ranger District (Cook, MN). Currently, hauling is still permitted during evening and early morning hours on the eastern side of the Forest (Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Districts). However, hauling operations will also pause on the east side of the Forest when conditions deteriorate.
State and county spring load limits are in effect for all other roads. Limiting heavy loads in the spring on roads in freeze-thaw environments like Minnesota helps to protect road structure. Load limits are expected to continue into May.
“Our main goal is to protect the roads from damage as they thaw and dry out so they can be in good condition the rest of the year.”–Briana Patton, Civil Engineer on the Superior National Forest.
For more information regarding seasonal load restrictions see the Minnesota Department of Transportation website for spring restrictions[1].
[1] https://www.dot.state.mn.us/loadlimits/index.html
From Superior National Forest - March 19, 2025
Forest managers remind commercial vehicle drivers that National Forest System roads within the Superior National Forest (SNF) are heading into seasonal load restrictions of four (4) or five (5) tons per axle, as posted.
Spring restrictions went into effect on Monday, March 17 for the west side of the SNF including the Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely, MN), Laurentian Ranger District (Aurora, MN), and LaCroix Ranger District (Cook, MN). Currently, hauling is still permitted during evening and early morning hours on the eastern side of the Forest (Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Districts). However, hauling operations will also pause on the east side of the Forest when conditions deteriorate.
State and county spring load limits are in effect for all other roads. Limiting heavy loads in the spring on roads in freeze-thaw environments like Minnesota helps to protect road structure. Load limits are expected to continue into May.
“Our main goal is to protect the roads from damage as they thaw and dry out so they can be in good condition the rest of the year.”–Briana Patton, Civil Engineer on the Superior National Forest.
For more information regarding seasonal load restrictions see the Minnesota Department of Transportation website for spring restrictions[1].
[1] https://www.dot.state.mn.us/loadlimits/index.html
