Spring load limits in place for Flathead County

Spring load limits for trucks went into effect Monday after the Flathead County commissioners approved the Road and Bridge Department’s recommended restrictions.

According to Public Works Director David Prunty, the load limits for this year are the same as last year’s.

Depending on whether the vehicle is single axle or tandem axle, trucks will be limited to 350 to 400 pounds per inch of tire. According to the approved resolution, total weight can range from 14,000 to 32,000 pounds, again depending on the number of axles.

On most county roads, the load limit is 350 pounds per inch of tire width as marked with a 35 mph speed limit. The roads noted to be 400 pounds per inch of tire width are Cemetery Road, Church Drive, Jellison Road, Lake Blaine Road, McCaffery Road, Rocky Cliff Drive, Sunset Drive and Whitefish Stage Road.

Restrictions are put in place every spring when roads are at risk of being seriously damaged or destroyed due to deterioration, rain, snow, thawing or other climatic conditions unless the permissible vehicle weights are reduced. The limits are in place until the commissioners choose to have them lifted. The resolution can be found online at at flathead.mt.gov/roads_bridges/

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4439 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com