Seasonal weight restrictions on Marinette County highways will take effect at midnight on Friday, March thirteenth. County officials say the limits are necessary to protect roads during the spring thaw, when melting frost weakens the ground beneath pavement and makes highways more vulnerable to damage. During the restriction period, all county trunk highways — the lettered roads — will be limited to six tons per single axle and ten tons per tandem axle group, with a maximum gross vehicle weight of twenty-eight tons. Officials say most overweight permits will be suspended while the restrictions are in place, though limited permits may still be issued in certain cases. Exemptions include highway maintenance vehicles, school buses, emergency vehicles, and trucks hauling milk, livestock, seed potatoes, perishable foods, solid waste, or leachate. Authorities also remind drivers that these seasonal limits do not apply to town roads. Anyone with questions about weight restrictions on local town roads should contact their town government directly. The spring weight restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.