Annual spring weight restrictions begin Tuesday to protect Michigan's roads

Media contact: Dan Weingarten, WeingartenD@Michigan.gov, 906-250-4809

LANSING, Mich. ­- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and local agencies are enacting spring weight restrictions, an annual move to protect roads.

Effective 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways from the Indiana and Ohio borders north to and including US-10 in Ludington in Mason County from the M-116 intersection, then east to US-127 in Clare County, then north on US-127 to M-61, then east on M-61 ending at the intersection with US-23 in the city of Standish, Arenac County.

All state trunklines will have weight restrictions imposed and enforced. State routes typically carry M, I, or US designations.

When roads that have been frozen all winter begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground. During the spring thaw, the roadbed softened by trapped moisture beneath the pavement makes it more susceptible to damage. This contributes to pothole problems already occurring due to this winter's numerous freeze-thaw cycles.

In the restricted areas, the following will apply:

• On routes designated as "all-season" (designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be no reduction in legal axle weights.

• All extended permits will be valid for oversize loads in the weight-restricted area on the restricted routes. Single-trip permits will not be issued for any overweight loads or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles, and 150 feet in overall length on the restricted routes.

• On routes designated as "seasonal" (designated in solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be a posted weight reduction of 25 percent for rigid (concrete) pavements and 35 percent for flexible (asphalt) pavements, and maximum speed of 35 mph for some vehicles.

Drivers must follow the speed limits for weight restricted roads, per state law. Go online for speed restrictions for trucks and the rules for propane fuel delivery and public utility vehicles.

MDOT determines when weight restrictions begin each spring by measuring frost depths along state highways, observing road conditions and monitoring weather forecasts. Weight restrictions remain in effect until the frost line is deep enough to allow moisture to escape and the roadbeds regain stability.

County road commissions and city public works departments put in place their own seasonal weight restrictions, which usually but not always coincide with state highway weight restrictions. Signs are generally posted to indicate which routes have weight restrictions in effect.

For weight restriction information and updates, call 800-787-8960 or you can access this information on MDOT's website at www.Michigan.gov/Truckers under "Restrictions." All-season routes are designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map. You also may sign up to receive email alerts.

Trucking companies located in New Jersey and Canada can obtain information by calling 517-373-6256.

OHSP safety grant applications

On Monday, February 2, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) began accepting applications for behavior-based safety grant projects funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for fiscal year (FY) 2027, which runs October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Applications must be submitted through the Michigan Grants System (MGX).

Project applications focused on occupant protection, traffic enforcement, pedestrian/bicyclist (nonmotorized) safety, traffic records, teen driver safety, distracted driving, impaired driving, motorcyclist safety, older driver safety, research and analysis, preventing roadside deaths, and school bus safety programs will be accepted in MGX until Friday, February 27. Priority will be given to projects that address vulnerable roadway users, impairment, distraction, speed, and seat belt use.

Approved projects must follow applicable federal and state requirements. Agencies and organizations interested in pursuing a new grant idea can contact the appropriate program coordinator for more information.

To assist with FY2027 grant applications, the OHSP is hosting an in-person workshop on Tuesday, February 17, from 8 am to 5 pm. The workshop will be held at Michigan State Police Headquarters in the Centennial Conference Room located at 7150 Harris Drive in Dimondale, Michigan. There are specific time frames in place for each project area. Those interested in attending must register for the workshop by Thursday, February 12.

Additionally, the OHSP recently hosted a virtual workshop to assist with FY2027 grant applications. If you were unable to attend, a recording of the workshop can be viewed online.

Additional information can be found on the OHSP’s Grant Applications web page.

2025 MATS MPO Annual Obligation Report

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) are regional bodies responsible for coordinating transportation planning in urbanized areas with populations of 50,000 or more. They bring together local government officials, transportation agencies, and other stakeholders to plan and prioritize transportation projects and investments for the region. They also play a key role in the distribution of federal transportation funds for projects like road improvements, transit systems, and bike/pedestrian infrastructure.

After the conclusion of each programming year, in this case October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, MPOs must disclose to local governments, stakeholders and the public "an annual listing of obligated projects” for projects that are to receive federal funding. When a project is "obligated," it means that the federal government has made a formal commitment to fund the project. The funds are allocated and set aside for that specific project, but they are not necessarily available for use immediately.

MATS is an MPO for the Midland Urbanized area that includes all of Midland County, the City of Auburn and Williams Charter Township in Bay County, and Tittabawassee Township in Saginaw County. There are three public transit agencies operate within the MATS planning area; they are Dial-A-Ride Transportation (DART), County Connection of Midland and Bay Metro Transportation Authority (BMTA).

The document linked below illustrates projects that have been obligated in the MATS area.

2025 MATS Finial Acecptance Report

An MPO Final Acceptance Report is a formal document that serves to confirm the completion and final approval of a transportation planning project or initiative within an MPO region. MPOs are responsible for overseeing and coordinating transportation planning efforts in metropolitan areas, ensuring that transportation systems are safe, efficient, and aligned with regional goals.

City of Midland is partnering with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) on the reconstruction of the US-10 Business Route

The City of Midland is partnering with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) on the reconstruction of the US-10 Business Route commonly known as the Indian and Buttles Corridor Improvement Project. This project presents a transformative opportunity to enhance one of our community’s most prominent gateways.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Word on the Streets podcast for an in-depth conversation with MDOT Project & Contracts Engineer John Kelley and Construction Engineer Shaun Bates about what’s coming and how it will impact travel in Midland. Here’s a quick look at what to expect over the next few years:

2025: Buttles Street Utility Burial

• In August 2025, MDOT began burying overhead utilities along the south side of Buttles Street from Jerome to State Street.

• This work will prepare the corridor for future street improvements planned in 2027.

• Sidewalk access: South side sidewalks will be temporarily removed during this phase, but the north side sidewalks will remain open.

• The south side 10-foot pathway will be built in 2027.

2026: Indian & Jerome Street Improvements

During this phase, Indian Street traffic will temporarily shift to Buttles/Lyons, which will operate as a two-way street with a center left-turn lane between Jerome and Washington.

• Indian Street (Jerome → Mill): Mill and resurface while keeping the current three-lane format. Add new street lighting, mast-arm traffic signals, and street trees.

• Indian/Patrick (Mill → Washington): Full reconstruction with new utility upgrades (water main and storm sewer), existing lighting relocated to inside of the curve, new mast-arm traffic signals, and new/more street trees.

• Jerome Street (Main → Indian): Street reconstruction, mast arm traffic signals, new street lighting, and crosswalk upgrades.

2027: Buttles Street Improvements

Once Indian is complete, traffic will shift to Indian/Patrick, which will operate as a two-way street with a center turn lane from Jerome to Washington.

• Buttles (Jerome → State): Mill and resurface, modified from current three lanes to two lanes with right-turn lanes at Ashman and Cronkright. Addition of a 10-foot-wide pathway along the south side, new lighting, new mast-arm traffic signals, and new/additional street trees.

• Buttles/Lyons (State → Washington): Maintain three-lane format but undergo a full reconstruction with new mast-arm traffic signals, and new/additional street trees. Utility upgrades will include new water main and storm sewer installations.

Receive the latest information on these projects by:

• Sign up for MDOT Bay Region News Release Emails for ongoing project updates here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/midot/subscriber/new.

• Watch for a spring 2026 MDOT open house before major construction begins.

• For timeline, background and history on the project, visit cityofmidlandmi.gov/corridors.