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Spring load restrictions
Spring load restrictions
What are spring load restrictions?
Each year during the spring thaw (typically early-March to mid-May), state, county and local agencies impose axle weight restrictions to protect the investment that has been made in their roadways. The two primary causes for premature deterioration of bituminous pavement are weather and traffic load. As the frost is leaving the ground during the spring thaw every year, the gravel under the roadbed has high moisture content, which weakens the load carrying capacity of the bituminous pavement.
In order to protect and prolong the service life of the roadways, axle weight restrictions are imposed during the spring thaw every year, when the roadbeds are most susceptible to damage (due to the weakened subgrade).
When are spring load restrictions in effect?
The period in which restrictions can last vary depending upon frost and weather conditions, but usually last a minimum of eight weeks. Rice County uses the spring load restriction dates set by MnDOT as a guideline for Rice County’s road network.
2023 spring load restrictions
Spring Load Restrictions started: March 10, 2023
Spring Load Restrictions end: May 2, 2023
Historical spring load restrictions start and end dates for Rice County
2022 spring load restrictions
Spring Load Restrictions started: March 14, 2022
Spring Load Restrictions ended: May 5, 2022
2021 Spring Load restrictions
Spring Load Restrictions started: March 4, 2021
Spring Load Restrictions ended: April 26, 2021
2020 spring load restrictions
Spring Load Restrictions started: March 6, 2020
Spring Load Restrictions ended: April 22, 2020
State statutes
169.823 Tire weight limits
169.87 Seasonal load restriction; route designation
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Dennis Luebbe
Highway Engineer
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Highway
Physical Address
Rice County Highway Department
610 20th St. NW
Faribault, MN 55021
Phone: 507-332-6110Fax: 507-332-8335
Northfield: 507-645-9576
Lonsdale: 507-744-5185
Toll Free: 888-200-4807
Hours (June 4-Sept. 29)
Office: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon Friday
Maintenance Division: 6 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday (thru Nov. 2, 2023)
Offices are closed on legal holidays