"the Wisconsin Department of Transportation declares the zones identified below are eligible for increased weight limitations"
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Status Timestamp | 2026-03-10T16:56:04+00:00 |
| Coverage | All state and US numbered highways within all declared zones. I-39 corridor and I-41 corridor included as interstate exceptions. All other interstate highways excluded. No local roads authorized under this declaration. |
| Effective Dates | Zones 1 & 2: Dec 14, 2025, 12:01 a.m. CST no end date specified. Zone 3: Dec 18, 2025, 12:01 a.m. CST no end date specified. Zones 4 & 5: Feb 6, 2026, 12:01 a.m. CST no end date specified. Spring thaw and Class II restrictions active statewide as of March 9, 2026, 12:01 AM CDT. Posted Road restrictions active statewide as of March 9, 2026, 12:01 PM CDT. |
| Weight Limits | Max gross: 98,000 lbs. Max single axle: 23,000 lbs. Multi-axle group limits vary by axle spacing see weight chart below and in source document. |
| Key Roads | All state numbered highways (declared zones); all US numbered highways (declared zones); I-39 corridor; I-41 corridor. All other interstates excluded. State highways with posted restrictions excluded. |
| Exemptions | Vehicles registered at 80,000 lbs; vehicles registered at max GVW by axle/spacing formula under Wis. Stat. ss. 348.15(3)(c) or 348.15(3)(br) if under 80,000 lbs; highway winter maintenance abrasives/salt (including brine, liquid calcium chloride); peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise (woodchips not included). |
| Penalties | Not specified |
| Contact | OSOW Permits Section, WisDOT (608) 266-7320 (permits); (608) 266-8417 (recorded message) |
| Primary Status Source URL | WisDOT Current Declaration PDF |
Weight Limits Under This Declaration
| Axle Configuration | Max Weight (lbs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single axle | 23,000 | Each axle must carry at least 8% of vehicle gross weight to be counted as an axle. |
| 2 consecutive axles | 38,00046,000 | Varies by distance between front and rear axle centers: 38,000 lbs at 46 ft; 46,000 lbs at 78.4 ft. See full chart in source document. |
| 3 consecutive axles | 49,00072,000 | Varies by axle spacing: 49,000 lbs at 7 ft; 72,000 lbs at 32 ft. See full chart in source document. |
| 4 consecutive axles | 67,50085,000 | Varies by axle spacing: 67,500 lbs at 12 ft; 85,000 lbs at 3132 ft. See full chart in source document. |
| Maximum gross vehicle weight | 98,000 | Increased from standard limit under frozen road declaration per Wis. Stat. s. 348.175. Applies only to eligible vehicles on authorized highways. |
Weight chart values include the 4,000 lbs provided for in Wis. Stat. s. 348.15(3)(br). Axle groups of 2, 3, or 4 axles are split only to determine minimum (8%) or maximum (23,000 lbs) single-axle weights.
Coverage and Road Eligibility
- Applies to all state numbered highways and US numbered highways within all declared zones.
- I-39 corridor and I-41 corridor (as defined in Wis. Stat. ss. 348.01(bc) and (bd)) are included as interstate exceptions.
- All other interstate highways are excluded from this declaration.
- State highways with posted weight restrictions are excluded travel on those routes is not authorized under this declaration.
- No local roads are authorized. Contact the relevant local highway maintaining authority separately for local road coverage.
Zone Effective Dates
| Zone | Start Date | Start Time | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | December 14, 2025 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
| Zone 2 | December 14, 2025 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
| Zone 3 | December 18, 2025 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
| Zone 4 | February 6, 2026 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
| Zone 5 | February 6, 2026 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
Operational update: Spring thaw and Class II roadway restrictions began in Zones 1 and 2 on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 12:01 AM CDT. Spring thaw and Class II restrictions were already in place in Zones 3, 4, and 5 prior to that date. Posted Road restrictions began in Zones 1, 2, and 3 on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 12:01 PM CDT; Posted Road restrictions were already in place in Zones 4 and 5. Verify current status before dispatch.
Exemptions
Exempt Vehicle Registrations
- Vehicles currently registered for 80,000 lbs.
- Vehicles registered for maximum gross vehicle weight based on number of axles and axle spacing under Wis. Stat. ss. 348.15(3)(c) or 348.15(3)(br), if that registered weight is less than 80,000 lbs.
Exempt Commodities
- Abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance, including salt brine or liquid calcium chloride.
- Peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise (woodchips are not included).
Hard Restrictions No Exceptions Under This Declaration
- Travel on state highways with posted weight restrictions is not authorized.
- No interstate highway is authorized except I-39 and I-41 corridors.
- No local roads are authorized under this declaration. Normal weight limits apply on local roads unless the local authority has issued its own separate declaration.
Special Conditions
- Declaration issued pursuant to Wis. Stat. s. 348.175.
- Axle groups of 2, 3, or 4 axles are split only to determine minimum (8%) or maximum (23,000 lbs) weights permitted on a single axle.
- Weight chart values include the 4,000 lbs provided for in Wis. Stat. s. 348.15(3)(br).
- Weight chart does not apply to the Interstate Highway System except for the I-39 and I-41 corridors.
- Local authorities are not covered by this declaration. Normal weight limits apply on local roads unless the local authority has issued its own declaration.
- Call (608) 266-8417 for a recorded message of the current status of road weight restrictions.
Contact
- OSOW Permits Section, Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Phone (permits): (608) 266-7320
- Phone (recorded message): (608) 266-8417
- Email: Not specified
Source Attribution
Primary source: WisDOT Current Frozen Road Declaration (PDF)
Reference page: WisDOT Seasonal Weight Restrictions
Status observed at: 2026-03-10T16:56:04+00:00
End dates for all zones are not specified in the source document. Spring thaw and Posted Road restrictions are now active statewide as of March 9, 2026. Verify current status directly with WisDOT before dispatch.
