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Class II roads

The first partial lifting of seasonal restrictions will allow single trip overweight permits and non-divisible load multiple trip permits, such as the permit for transportation of construction equipment, to operate on all state, US and Interstate highways, on or south of US Highway 10 as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2009.

Divisible overweight multiple trip permits, such as the permits for forest products and garbage or recyclable scrap, remain in suspension. 

On Monday, May 4, 2009 at 12:01 a.m., single trip permits, non-divisible load multiple trip permits and divisible load multiple trip permits, such as the permits to transport forest products, vegetables, garbage and recyclable scrap are valid on state, US and Interstate highways on and south of US Highway 8. 

On Monday, May 11, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. all types of permits are valid on state, US, Interstate highway to the extent not otherwise restricted by law, e.g. no divisible load permits may operate on I-94.

Roadway weight restrictions go into effect during the springtime freezing and thawing period, typically from early March until the second week in May. (The 36 year average beginning date for this period is March 10 and the average ending date is May 10.) During this time when some pavements and base materials are at their weakest due to the freezing and thawing cycle occurring, all overweight permitted vehicles exceeding legal axle weights or 80,000 pounds are suspended from certain highway sections that have been determined to be the weakest.

There are approximately 1,400 miles (94 segments) of bituminous highways on the Class II list during the springtime freezing and thawing period. Class II highways currently account for only 12% of the state highways.

• End of Class II roadway restrictions Updated 4/27/09
• Map (822 KB) Updated 4/27/09
• Roadway list Updated 3/20/09
• History Updated 4/27/09
• Maintenance manual 37.10 Updated 2/12/02

Class II Roads include all state highways that are judged to have unstable condition of the roadway subgrade during the period when frost is leaving the ground such that the travel of vehicles with overweight permits would cause undue damage to the roadway.

In accordance with Wisconsin Statutes sections 348.26 and 348.27, the department may restrict travel of vehicles with overweight permits on certain (Class II) roads due to the unstable condition of the roadway subgrade during the period when frost is leaving the ground.

Typically, restrictions on travel include:

1. Restrictions on maximum weight allowed for single-trip movement over Class II roads.
2. Travel under annual non-divisible permits becomes more difficult because holders of overweight annual permits must avoid the Class II roads.
3. Travel with single-trip or annual non-divisible overweight permits is not restricted on local or state roads in Milwaukee County or any part of the Interstate Highway System. In the remainder of the state, travel is not restricted under non-divisible annual permits on Class I roadways.

Also during this period, other travel restrictions apply:

1. Suspension of all divisible load permit types on all state highways for the duration of the thaw period.

For more information on divisible load permit restrictions visit the DMV - Motor Carrier Services Web page

Questions concerning overweight load permits:

Wisconsin DOT Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Permits Unit. (608)266-7320

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Questions about weight restriction program and the content of this page:
Mike Sproul, michael.sproul@dot.state.wi.us
Questions about overweight/oversize permits:
Motor carrier services, oversize-permits.dmv@dot.state.wi.us, (608) 266-7320 
Last modified: April 27, 2009