Minnesota Winter Load Increases

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will end winter load increases in the CENTRAL frost zone Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 12:01 AM.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will start spring load restrictions (SLR) in the SOUTH, SOUTHEAST and METRO frost zones Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 12:01 AM.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will start spring load restrictions (SLR) in the CENTRAL frost zone Friday, March 5, 2021 at 12:01 AM.

As announced in the February 25 memo, winter load increases will end in the SOUTH, SOUTHEAST and METRO frost zones Wednesday, March 3.

Frost zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map.

Start and end dates and other load limit information are shown at mndot.gov/loadlimits.

Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal (axle weight limits).

Full-summer overweight permits can be issued, during the spring load restriction period, for travel on the interstate system only.

Middle-range overweight permits become available within each frost zone when spring load restrictions are lifted. Full-summer overweight permits become available two to three weeks after spring load restrictions are lifted.

Ending dates for spring load restrictions are variable and based on how weather is affecting roadway strength.

MnDOT will report start and end dates on its 24-hour automated message center at 1-800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, and locally at 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.