Truck weight load
increases are now in effect
Starting Wednesday, Jan. 2, southern Minnesotaís weight load increase goes into effect and trucks may now increase their weight loads statewide, the Minnesota Department of Transportation Mn/DOT has announced. Weight load increases were approved for the northern section of Minnesota starting Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001. Truckers need a permit from the Mn/DOT Permit Office if they are traveling on interstate highways. On other roads, trucks need to have Mn/DOT weight registrations to carry increased weight loads. This is the first year that a freezing temperature index model has been used to determine when winter load increases can be announced. In prior years, a set calendar date was used that did not take into account weather fluctuations. This change is a direct result of research conducted that will result in reduced damage to highways statewide and still allow the trucking industry to utilize trucksí optimal full capacity during the duration of the increased load limits period. Mn/DOT announces an increased weight load for trucks once temperatures are forecast for a seven-day period of below freezing. The start of the winter load increase period is determined for each frost zone using measured and forecast daily temperatures for several cities within each zone. The intent is to use the advance forecast temperatures to ensure that thawing is not likely and that future freezing will ensure that the pavement structures will maintain adequate strength, through increasing frost depth, to carry the larger loads. Trucks still may carry not more than a 10 percent increase in load weight than is legal during warmer temperatures. Mn/DOT will give a three-day advance notice when winter load increases are to be ended. More information is available from 1-800-723-6543 or at http.//mnroad.dot.state.mn.us.
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