In Wisconsin, timing is everything. One week the ground is rock solid, and the next, the “spring thaw” turns road bases into a sponge. To protect the state’s infrastructure, WisDOT has officially pivoted from winter weight increases to spring restrictions.
1. The End of Frozen Road Declarations
As of Friday, February 20, 2026, WisDOT officially ended the “Frozen Road” declaration statewide.
What this means: The winter weight bumps (which allowed up to 98,000 lbs for certain forest products and salt/sand) are gone.
2. Class II Road Restrictions (The "Spring Thaw" Mode)
Simultaneously with the end of the frozen road law, Class II road restrictions went into effect on February 20, 2026, for Zones 3, 4, and 5 (Central and Southern Wisconsin).
Zones Affected: Most of the central and southern portions of the state are now under restriction.
The Rule: On Class II highways, many divisible load permits are suspended, and non-divisible overweight loads are restricted.
- Duration: These typically stay in place until late April or early May, depending on how fast the frost leaves the ground.
3. What Are Class II Roads and Seasonal Posted Roads?
Not all Wisconsin roads are built the same. During the thaw, they are categorized based on their structural integrity:
Class II Roads
Class II roads are state highways that WisDOT has identified as having “unstable subgrades” during the spring thaw. These roads represent about 12% of the state highway system (roughly 1,400 miles).
The Restriction: While legal loads (80,000 lbs) are usually still allowed, overweight permits are generally void on these segments. If you hold a multiple-trip or single-trip overweight permit, you must find an alternate route that avoids Class II designations.
Seasonal Posted Roads
These are the most “vulnerable” stretches of highway—less than 2% of the state system. These roads are so weakened by moisture that they cannot even support standard legal weights.
The Restriction: Physical signs are posted on-site (e.g., “6 Tons Per Axle” or “24 Tons Gross”). You cannot travel on these roads if you exceed the posted limit, even with a standard legal load, unless you have a specific emergency exemption. More information can be found here, you can also checkout the 2026 Wisconsin Springtime Posted Roads list (PDF).
2026 Wisconsin Springtime Posted Roads
(State Numbered Roadways Only)
This list highlights the pavement segments where these vehicles are prohibited.
| Wisconsin Highway | DOT Region | County | Location & Limits | Dates for posting this season | Date roadway will no longer be posted | DOT Region Contact | Load Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | NC | Forest | Smith Road to the South County line. | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 52 | NC | Langlade | Wis 55 to the North County line | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 | The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 52 | NC | Marathon, Shawano | Elm Rd. in Marathon Co. to US Highway 45 in Shawano Co. | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 | The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 54 | NC | Wood | West County Line to Wis 80; and South Junction Wis 80 to 1 mile West of Junction Wis 73 in Wood County | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 55. | NC | Forest | Argonne to the Michigan State line | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 65 | NW | Polk | Saint Croix County line to US 8 in Polk County | Mike Ostrenga (715) 392-7945 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 65 | NW | Saint Croix | County H in Star Prairie in Saint Croix County to the Polk County line | Tyson Pelkofer (715) 340-9495 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 107 | NC | Lincoln | County S to Matthew's Road; and Marathon County line to Wis 64. | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 107 | NC | Marathon | County A to the Lincoln County line | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 122 | NC | Iron | Wis 77 to North County Line in Iron County | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 131 | SW | Crawford | Wis 60 to Wis 179 at in Crawford County | Mike Olson (608) 792-5894 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 153 | NC | Marathon | Marathon County road J to Shawano County Line | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 153 | NC | Shawano | Marathon County Line to US 45 | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 169 | NW | Ashland | Wis 13 to Ashland / Iron County line | Mike Ostrenga (715) 392-7945 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 169 | NC | Iron | US 2 to the Ashland County Line | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. | ||
| 173 | NC | Wood | North Junction Wis 80 to Junction of County G in Wood County | Nick Vos (715) 365-5782 |
The weight restrictions are 6 tons for a single axle and 10 tons for tandem axles. The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. |
Checkout the 2026 Wisconsin Springtime Posted Roads list (PDF)
4. Are Interstates Affected?
Generally, the Interstate Highway System is built to a much higher structural standard than secondary state highways, meaning it doesn’t “soften” the same way.
Non-Divisible Overweight Loads: Travel with single-trip or annual overweight permits is not restricted on any part of the Interstate Highway System in Wisconsin. If your permit routes you on an I-road, you are good to go.
Divisible Loads (The Exception): Most divisible load permits (which allow you to carry weights exceeding 80,000 lbs for items like grain or coal) are suspended statewide on all state highways, including Interstates, during the thaw.
- Note: There are rare exceptions for specific commodities like raw forest products (RS permits) or potato seed (PS permits), but for most divisible haulers, the Interstate doesn’t offer a “loophole” to stay heavy.
- Milwaukee County: Interestingly, WisDOT typically does not restrict overweight permit travel on any state or local roads within Milwaukee County, regardless of whether they are Interstates or not.
5. Local & County Road Watch
While WisDOT handles the state highways, local municipalities are moving even faster.
Town of Verona: Weight limits (30,000 lbs max) are effective from March 1 to April 30, 2026.
City of Delafield: Recently lifted their limits temporarily on February 24 due to a brief cold snap, but they are monitoring frost tubes daily and may reinstate them at any moment.
- Marathon County: Currently reviewing conditions week-by-week.
Pro-Tips
Check the Map: WisDOT maintains an interactive Seasonal Weight Restiction Map that shows exactly which segments are Class II or “Posted.”
Watch the Frost Tubes: Local counties use liquid-filled tubes in the ground to measure “frost out.” If we get a warm rain, expect those local “Posted” signs to go up overnight.