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North Dakota Frost Law Restrictions

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2022 North Dakota Winter Frost/Spring Thaw Laws and Seasonal Weight Restrictions

The North Dakota winter frost and spring thaw laws – seasonal weight restrictions. Seasonal weight restrictions are needed to protect the roads and highways during the winter months (usually between November 1 and April 1 each year but can extend towards the end of May) from being damaged by transporting heavy weights over them. While some of them are closed others remain open with weight limits significantly reduced in order to prevent damages. North Dakota implements protective measures to protect their infrastructure – and for a good reason.

North-Dakota-frost-thaw-map
Example of North Dakota frost and thaw law notification map for active months. Click to view their live version.

Get Educated on Why the Restrictions Exist

In most of North Dakota the colder winter temperatures cause the ground to freeze and become brittle. However, the earth underneath it is warmer and typically does not freeze so water exists in the roads aggregate when temperatures are frozen but not in the minus for long periods of time. What this does when large weights are transported over it is causes stress cracks and even buckling. These cracks lead to the deterioration of the road and eventually cause pot-holes as the ambient temperatures rise below thus expanding and pushing upward. The asphalt is then completely separated and a pot hole is created.

North Dakota Spring Thaw Laws

This is where any damages from driving over the roads during the winter frost months becomes evident. As the outside ambient temperature begins to rise so does the earths core. Since the asphalt is dense it takes it longer to thaw out. This is where buckling starts to take place as the warm earth expands and puts pressure on the asphalt to move upwards. This upward force causes the road to either buckle or pot holes start to develop from the millions of cracks that were created ultimately causing the public property to require maintenance which is a huge burden to the state and tax payers.

Why North Dakota Implements Travel Restrictions 

With changing temperatures and built-up moisture in the pavement, roads are weakened as spring begins. Putting extra weight on the roads during this critical time can lead to even more issues. To prevent excessive damage to roads and highways, many states have enacted frost laws that go into effect during the early months of spring. These laws are designed to help protect the roads in areas with frigid winters.

Frost laws require that large vehicles carry a reduced load while driving on any posted or restricted roads. Also, heavy vehicles must lower their speed as the change in seasons takes place. This helps to cut down on the road damage that occurs as spring arrives each year

 

LoadPassPermits.com is the notification system for North Dakota road closures.

North Dakota frost law Notification system and travel map.

 

See also:

Tire chain laws.
Federal bridge formula.

 

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