The Washtenaw County Road Commission will suspend seasonal weight restrictions for commercial truck traffic on its non-all season roads on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. Imposed on March 1, the restrictions will have been in effect for 39 days. Typically, each spring and in accordance with state law the Road Commission reduces the weight and speed limits on these roads as temperatures begin to rise and the ground begins to thaw. As the road subsurface thaws, the roads ability to carry weight is reduced, meaning that a weight that would not affect a road under normal conditions, might now damage the road. These restrictions help to ensure that roads last as long as possible, with as few potholes as possible.
Weight and speed restrictions are enforced by Weighmasters employed by the Road Commission, the Michigan Department of State Police, local police departments, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department. Violations of the weight and speed restrictions can result in a citation.
A “Truck Operator’s Map“ is available from the Road Commission that shows which roads have weight restrictions. The map is available by visiting the Road Commission Permit office at 555 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor (office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) or by visiting the Road Commission website at www.wcroads.org .
For further information, please contact the Road Commission Permit Section at 734-761-1500.
For a statewide listing of the status of seasonal weight restrictions for other county road commissions, visit the County Road Association of Michigan website at www.micountyroads.org.
For more information on this press release, contact Val Cooper, Public Information/Community Relations Officer at (734) 327-6675, or via email at cooperv@wcroads.org.