Spring Weight Restrictions Lifted on Southern Michigan Highways

MDOT adjusts seasonal road protections as thaw begins

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced that spring weight restrictions on state highways in southern Michigan will be lifted starting Monday, March 9th. The changes will affect trunkline highways up to a boundary line running through South Haven, Kalamazoo, Washtenaw, Livingston, and Macomb counties. North of that line, including the Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island, seasonal weight restrictions will remain in place.

Why it matters

These seasonal weight restrictions help prevent road damage during the spring thaw when melting snow and ice weaken the ground beneath the pavement. Lifting the restrictions in southern Michigan allows heavier commercial vehicles to travel more freely, but maintaining them in northern areas protects those roads from potential damage.

The details

Under the seasonal weight restrictions, axle weights are reduced by 25% on concrete roads and 35% on asphalt roads. Some vehicles must also follow a 35-mile-per-hour speed limit. MDOT says these measures help preserve the state's highway infrastructure during the vulnerable spring thaw period.

  • The changes take effect at 6 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

The state agency responsible for maintaining and overseeing Michigan's highway infrastructure, including implementing seasonal weight restrictions to protect roads during the spring thaw.

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The takeaway

By adjusting seasonal weight restrictions, MDOT is balancing the needs of commercial truckers and the preservation of Michigan's highway system. This demonstrates the agency's proactive approach to managing the state's critical transportation infrastructure.