Highway Department advises caution, announces road restrictions

The Cook County Highway Department has an advisory for motorist of vehicles, large and small. All drivers are asked to remain vigilant as localized flooding is expected to continue as the long-range forecast predicts warming temperatures. Cook County Highway Department crews will work through the weekend to continue to thaw culverts, dig ditches, and push ice chunks off several county roads.

The Highway Department asks drivers to report water over roadways or other issues to the office at 218-387-3014. After hours and weekend emergencies may be reported to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at 218-387-3030.

Highway Department crews will respond as soon as practicable. 

“Many roads are not built to withstand the pace of this season’s melting, which is further complicated by a mix of daytime thawing and overnight freezing temperatures,” said Cook County Highway Engineer Krysten Foster. “In some neighborhoods, crews may need to thaw the same culvert on consecutive days. All available resources including steaming units, sanding trucks, and graders are working hard to improve road conditions as soon as possible.”
 
Seasonal Road Restrictions 
And, drivers of large vehicles are advised that seasonal road restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, March 19. Restrictions typically remain in effect for a minimum of eight weeks.

After that period, road restrictions will be lifted on a case-by-case basis as conditions warrant. All Cook County roads are limited to 5 tons per axle unless otherwise posted.

The following roads are posted as follows: 

10 Tons per Axle 
COUNTY ROAD    12       TH 61 to Hedstrom's Mill 

9 Tons per Axle 
COUNTY ROAD    2       TH 61 to end of bituminous (FR 164) 
COUNTY ROAD    4       TH 61 to end of bituminous (FR 164) 
COUNTY ROAD    5       Entire length 
COUNTY ROAD    7       Entire length 
COUNTY ROAD    8       COUNTY ROAD 12 to CR 27 
COUNTY ROAD    12      Hedstrom's Mill to Greenwood Road (FR 309) 

7 Tons per Axle 
COUNTY ROAD    12      Greenwood Road (FR 309) to Seagull Lake (FR 1355) 
COUNTY ROAD    16      TH 61 to Hovland Tower Road 
COUNTY ROAD    17      TH 61, east to Hat Point 
COUNTY ROAD    18      Entire length 
COUNTY ROAD    23      TH 61 to COUNTY ROAD 17 

5 Tons per Axle 
COUNTY ROAD    1        Entire length 
COUNTY ROAD    2       Honeymoon Trail (FR 164) to The Grade (FR 170) 
COUNTY ROAD    12      Seagull Lake (FR 1355) to end 
COUNTY ROAD    14      Entire length 
COUNTY ROAD    17      West and north of TH 61 to CR 89 
CR      45      COUNTY ROAD 7 to Pike Lake 
CR      48      Entire length 
All other County roads that are not posted. 

4 Tons per Axle 
COUNTY ROAD    8       CR 27 to CR 57 
COUNTY ROAD    16      North of Shoe Lake Road (FR 313) 
CR      57      COUNTY ROAD 8 to Bally Creek Road 
CR      89      Entire length 
CR      74      Entire length

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Adventures on Lake Superior