Central ND News

Cass County will enforce load restrictions on all highways starting March 13, 2025. These restrictions aim to protect the highways from damage during the spring thaw and will remain until conditions improve, typically around May 15.

For more information, residents can contact the Cass County Highway Department at 298-2370.

The Cass County Highway Department operates under NDCC §39-12-03, which allows local authorities to restrict highway loads. This policy helps prevent road break-up during periods of thawing. Load restrictions may also be applied at other times if highway surfaces are weak.

The department uses various methods to decide when to implement or lift these restrictions. They monitor daily temperatures to calculate Freeze and Thaw Indexes, helping engineers determine appropriate actions. However, they also consider current highway conditions and field personnel's experience in making final decisions.

Weather plays a significant role in implementing and removing load limits. The department aims to balance road protection with minimizing restriction duration. Recommendations from field personnel and the Thaw Index guide decision-making processes. The Thaw Index is based on average daily temperatures compared to a baseline of 29 degrees Fahrenheit.

Legal weight limits are specified for different axle configurations:

- Single Axle: Up to 20,000 lbs

- Tandem Axle: Up to 34,000 lbs

- Three Axles or More: Up to 17,000 lbs per axle

- Maximum Axle Group: Up to 48,000 lbs

- Gross Vehicle Weight: Up to 105,500 lbs

These figures vary depending on specific legal weights outlined by the county.