SPOKANE COUNTY – Spokane County’s Engineering and Roads Department announced today that seasonal weight restrictions will begin within the next 1-3 weeks on county roads and continue until further notice. Roadway surfaces and the structures beneath the surface have become weakened during this winter’s cycle of freezing temperatures, followed by warmer temperatures and precipitation.
As a result, roads are vulnerable to severe damage and the implementation of weight restrictions reduces the need for increased road maintenance and vehicle repairs later this year. These changes can differ each year. This means that different roads may, or may not, be restricted and the time frame for implementing the restrictions.
Roads posted in Spokane County can either be a seasonal restriction or an emergency restriction. The vehicle speed is always reduced on emergency restricted roads and vehicle speed on seasonal restricted roads is at the discretion of the County Engineer. Seasonal road restrictions usually go into effect in late February or early March and last for approximately six weeks. However, seasonal weather conditions vary from year-to-year and dictate the extent of the restrictions and when they go into effect. No exemptions or permits are given on emergency restricted roads.
Impacted roads in Spokane County are posted with signs indicating maximum allowable weights. Typically, these restrictions do not apply to the average car or pickup truck. However, commercial and construction vehicles may need to lighten their loads in order to comply with the restrictions.
Spokane County commercial vehicle enforcement officers will be on patrol and violators will be fined. Fines may vary according to the nature of the infraction.
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