Wisconsin's frozen road law takes effect Thursday.
The frozen road law allows trucks to carry heavier loads of peeled or unpeeled forest products and salt and sand for winter maintenance. Frozen roads are less likely to be damaged by heavy loads when the ground is frozen.
The declaration is issued once the ground under highway pavement is frozen to a depth of at least 18-inches, allowing the maximum gross weight for trucks hauling logs or salt and sand to go up to 98,000 pounds.
The state 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.
The law applies to roughly the northern half of Wisconsin. The frozen road determination for the southern portion of the state will be made once conditions warrant.
