By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — The Oceana County Road Commission announced that seasonal weight and speed restrictions will go into effect Thursday, Jan. 8, at 6 a.m. until further notice.
In an effort to prevent potholes, the road commission imposes seasonal weight and speed restrictions on county roads every year. This is an earlier time frame than most years when restrictions were imposed in February or March.
Oceana and Muskegon counties are the only counties in the state currently imposing weight restrictions, according to the Michigan County Road Association. Muskegon County’s restrictions also go into effect Thursday.
“Right now, the weather is behaving like spring,” said Oceana County Road Commission Managing Director Mark Timmer. It is likely the restrictions will be lifted when the weather gets cold again, and then restrictions would be imposed again in late winter/early spring. “It’s probably going to be a like a two-part season. We did that a few years ago.
“If we don’t restrict the roads, we’re going to have a lot of road damage,” said Timmer.
A good rule of thumb for commercial truck drivers impacted by the seasonal restrictions is “35 and 35,” said Timmer. Commercial vehicles are required to travel at a speed of 35 mph on restricted county roads, and they should reduce their loads by 35 percent.
Commercial truck drivers should refer to the county “all seasons/non-restrictive road map” at www.oceanacrc.org.
The White Lake Drive overpass on US 31 near Whitehall in Muskegon County is closed due road damage. The overpass and the northbound exit ramp will remain closed for weeks due to the damage.
“While roads are concrete and asphalt and look indestructible, they can actually be quite fragile in late winter as frost comes out of the ground,” states the Michigan County Road Association. “Even strong late-winter sunlight on the dark paved surface has a significant impact on a road.
“As frost melts beneath a paved road, the roadbed turns wet and spongy because water is trapped between the pavement and the remaining ice layer beneath. When trucks and heavy equipment travel over a layer of concrete or asphalt that isn’t well supported beneath, lots of permanent cracks can occur.”
For more information, contact the OCRC at 231-873-4226 or visit www.micountyroads.org.
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