MADISON, Wis. The frozen road declaration is in effect for four of Wisconsin’s five regions, allowing heavier loads for trucks hauling logs or winter maintenance salt and sand.
The frozen road determination for the last remaining region, Zone 5 in the southeast corner of the state, will be made as conditions warrant, according to the state transportation department.
The declaration went into effect last week for Zone 3, which includes La Crosse and surrounding counties in a swath to the state’s eastern border, and Zone 4, from Grant County northeast. It had been declared active previously for zones 1 and 2 to the north.
Merrill Foto News Frozen road law expands to cover northern half of Wisconsin Share:
Effective Jan. 9, Wisconsin’s frozen road declaration was expanded to include regions designated by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) as Zone 2. It means that effective Saturday, the frozen road law will apply to roughly the northern half of Wisconsin. The frozen road determination for the southern portion of the state will be made once conditions warrant.
The frozen road law allows heavier loads for trucks carrying logs cut crosswise (not including woodchips), and salt and sand for winter maintenance while cold weather allows.
WisDOT and county highway personnel monitor temperature forecasts, along with frost tubes liquid-filled devices under pavement to help determine when roads are adequately frozen to accommodate heavier loads. This video shows how WisDOT monitors field conditions to veri