What is Frost Law and What Does It Have To Do With My Equipment Transport?
Frost laws are integral in areas where temperature quickly heats up after a cold winter season. Mainly at the onset of spring, highway beds become too soft due to the water trapped below the surface. The moisture tends to weaken the structural support strength of the roadways until it drains fully; then, the roadbed becomes solid and stable again. In such times, the trucking and heavy equipment shipping industries are affected by much more than harsh weather conditions. Frost laws aim to balance protecting critical roadways and enhancing trucking operations.
What Are Frost Laws?
Frost laws are also known as seasonal weight restrictions. Generally, they dictate the amount of load a semi-truck can transport and the speed at which they move, ensuring that the freshly thawed roadways are not destroyed during their weakened state.
State Guidelines and Frost Laws For Heavy Hauling
Each state has its specific frost laws. Therefore, you must understand the regulations specific to your state before embarking on your heavy equipment transport. Note that the seasonal weight restrictions are pretty standard in March, April, and May. However, the state might post additional seasonal restrictions due to unprecedented harsh weather conditions.
Frost laws vary with different states. For instance, the maximum weight limit on Michigan concrete roadway is reduced by 25 percent and 35 percent on all other roads. The maximum load allowed for concrete is 525 pounds per inch of the tire width and 450 pounds per each on any other Michigan road.
Regarding speed restrictions, vehicles should not move faster than 35 miles per hour when traveling along reduced–load roads. Some streets are considered all-season, meaning they are designed and built to withstand the hawing and freezing weather conditions. Sure, some special permits and exceptions can be obtained by road users who are not restricted by the frost laws. Unfortunately, they are not available for you or anyone in the heavy haul trucking industry during your heavy equipment transport.
Special Circumstances and Oversize Shipping Restrictions For Frost Laws
Seasonal weather conditions may affect the start date for frost laws. The seasonal weight restrictions usually go into effect on March 1. However, law enforcement might choose to delay the first day, especially after a remarkably long and frigid winter season.
On the other hand, they might also have to push up the start date after a shorter and warmer winter period. Similarly, the end date of the seasonal restriction laws might also be pushed up or extended based on that year’s temperature variations. That said, it is crucial that you stay on top of the frost laws and regulations specific to your state.
Stay updated on any particular guidelines, start and end dates, and other details. It would be better to hire a renowned and experienced shipping company such as Heavy Haulers to handle the transportation for you. These experts are knowledgeable about the frost laws and any other restrictions that might impact the timely delay of your load and how to mitigate them.
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