IRON MOUNTAIN — Though still only late February, the Dickinson County Road Commission already is advising residents to expect seasonal weight and speed restrictions to come into play in coming weeks.

Seasonal load and speed restrictions are placed each year on county roads to help minimize the effect of heavy truck traffic during the annual spring freeze and thaw cycle.

When conditions deteriorate, these road restrictions are critical to prolong the life of these roads as much as possible. On restricted roads, axle loadings are reduced by 35% and the speed limit is reduced to 35 mph, unless posted lower, for every vehicle with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more.

Certain roads that are designated “all-season” routes and considered to be in satisfactory condition can be used for up to normal legal loading — no overweight loads — during seasonal restrictions. Dickinson County has more than 20 such roads listed as “all-season” routes that can be viewed at www.dickinsoncrc.com.

Also available online at micountyroads.org is the County Road Association of Michigan’s Seasonal Weight Restrictions information and status map for all the counties in the state. It also is very important to be aware that Michigan Department of Transportation places and lifts restrictions on their highway system independently from the Road Commission and the dates for the MDOT highway system status may or may not coincide with the Road Commission dates for placing and lifting county road restrictions.

Based on historical data, Dickinson County road restrictions have been placed as early as Feb. 23 and as late as March 19. Some years restrictions have been lifted as late as the third or fourth week of May.

The Road Commission has and will continue to work cooperatively with industry as much as reasonably possible during restrictions. Permits and bonding are possible options when conditions will allow and approval is granted by the Road Commission.

For more information, contact the Road Commission at 906-282-5988 or 906-774-1588.