Winter load increases will begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday on unrestricted state highways in the south frost zone, and at 12:01 a.m.  Thursday in the metro and southeast frost zones, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Winter load increases have already begun in the north and north-central frost zones and have already been announced to begin Sunday in the central frost zone. The frost zones can be found on the MnDOT load limits map.

Vehicles will be allowed to operate up to 10% over the standard legal maximum loads on unrestricted highways during the winter load increase period. However, trucks must comply with current registration weight laws and not exceed registered gross weight tolerances.

Drivers need to check with local agencies before increasing any weights on city, county and township routes.

A winter weight increase permit is required to take advantage of the 10% weight increase on interstate highways only; a permit is not required for state trunk highways.

For questions about over legal weight/size “heavy haul” trucking, call MnDOT’s Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations-Oversize/Weight Permits at 651-296-6000 or email ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us.

For questions about enforcement, call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety- State Patrol-Commercial Vehicle Enforcement at 651-350-2000.

The start and end dates for winter load increases are based on how weather is affecting roadway strength. These dates are established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change. The end date for winter load increases is variable and drivers should check for updates throughout the year.

All changes are made with a minimum three-day notice.

For the most current information, go to MnDOT’s automated 24-hour message center at 800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, or 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. This information is also published on the MnDOT seasonal load limits website at mndot.gov/loadlimits.

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.