Seasonal weight restrictions, also known as “Frost Laws,” are about to impact numerous counties throughout the state – particularly in west and central Michigan.
These restrictions effect many industries and business – including Grand Rapids Metrology. Our 60,000+ lbs. test trucks are subject to these laws which can occasionally alter the routes we take to customer sites.
It’s important to recognize the seriousness of Frost Laws but also understand why the are necessary.
The County Road Association of Michigan explains this well. “While roads are concrete and asphalt and look indestructible, they can actually be quite fragile in late winter as frost comes out of the ground. Even strong late-winter sunlight on the dark paved surface has a significant impact on a road.
As frost melts beneath a paved road, the roadbed turns wet and spongy because water is trapped between the pavement and the remaining ice layer beneath. When trucks and heavy equipment travel over a layer of concrete or asphalt that isn’t well supported beneath, lots of permanent cracks can occur.”
If you are a truck scale owner or in the trucking industry, you should familiarize yourself with what roads are and are not restricted for heavy capacity vehicles. The County Road Association of Michigan states, “By law, road agencies can enact weight restrictions on any roads not designed as “all season” roads. All season roads are much thicker and designed to allow trucking year around.”
Know your limits by visiting the County Road Association of Michigan where you’ll find road maps by county that details which road are and are not “all season” roads. For example, here is Kent County’s trucking road map.
Below is a break-down of effective dates for Frost Laws by county.
Frost Laws in effect as of 2/19/2018:
- Arenac
- Barry
- Bay
- Berrien
- Branch
- Cass
- Clare
- Clinton
- Eaton
- Genesee
- Gratiot
- Hillsdale
- Huron
- Ionia
- Jackson
- Kalamazoo
- Kent
- Lapeer
- Lenawee
- Manistee
- Mason
- Mecosta
- Midland
- Monroe
- Montcalm
- Muskegon
- Newaygo
- Oceana
- Osceola
- Saginaw
- Sanilac
- Shiawassee
- St. Clair
- St. Joseph
- Tuscola
- Van Buren
- Washtenaw
- Wayne
Frost Laws in effect as of effective 2/20/2018:
- Allegan
- Livingston
- Ottawa
Beginning Monday, February 19 at 6 AM, seasonal weight and speed restrictions will be enforced by the following agencies:
- Barry County Road Commission
- Ionia County Road Commission
- Kent County Road Commission (KCRC)
- Montcalm County Road Commission
- Muskegon County Road Commission
- Newaygo County Road Commission
- City of Kentwood
- City of Walker
For the safety of our drivers, our roads and our community, please be patient. If a technician in a heavy capacity truck is travelling to a your site, they may arrive later than expected because they are not be able to take the most direct route to your facility when Frost Laws are in effect.
If you have questions regarding Frost Laws and how it may impact your daily operations, contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
