"NO Overweight Permits are to be issued on highways with load or speed restrictions. The 10% allowance provision of 61-10-144 MCA is not allowed (see policy for exceptions)."
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | ACTIVE Five restrictions in effect on named Montana state and US highway segments |
| Status Timestamp | 2025-06-23 at 3:52 PM local (most recent restriction effective date); status source retrieved 2026-03-14 at 15:40 UTC |
| Coverage | Named state and US highway segments only local road coverage is incidental, not comprehensive |
| Effective Dates | S-261 (MP 13.61): effective 2021-09-03 4:38 PM | S-261 (MP 27): effective 2021-09-03 5:38 PM | S-323 (MP 070.9): effective 2021-09-03 12:33 PM | US-2 (MP 11.6): effective 2024-03-07 | US-87 (MP 1.52): effective 2025-06-23 3:52 PM. No end date stated for any restriction. |
| Weight Limits | S-261 (MP 13.6127) and S-323 (MP 070.9): 8 tons single axle / 16 tons tandem axle / 400 lbs per inch of tire width. US-2 (MP 11.6) and US-87 (MP 1.52): NO overweight loads all loads over legal weight, including permitted loads, are prohibited. |
| Key Roads | S-261: MP 13.61 to 27 (county-maintained segment, north of Wibaux) | S-323: MP 0 to 70.9 (Ekalaka to Alzada) | US-2: MP 11.6 (bridge over Kootenai River, ~2 mi NW of Troy) | US-87: MP 1.5 to 2 (15th St N over Missouri River, Great Falls) |
| Exemptions | Front axle: 600 lbs per inch of tire width allowed regardless of seasonal load limit in effect. No overweight permits issued on restricted highways. The 10% allowance under 61-10-144 MCA is not allowed (see MDT policy for exceptions). This order does not supersede bridge restrictions currently in force. |
| Penalties | Strict compliance with speed restrictions will be enforced. |
| Contact | Helena Maintenance Office, Montana Department of Transportation | Phone: (406) 444-6372 | Road Conditions: 1-800-226-7623 or dial 511 | mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/restrictions.aspx |
| Primary Status Source URL | https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/restrictions.aspx |
Active Restrictions by Route
| Route | Mile Markers | Restriction Type | Single Axle | Tandem Axle | Tire Width Limit | Speed Limit | Effective Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-261 | MP 13.61 to 27 (county-maintained segment, north of Wibaux) | Axle weight restriction | 8 tons (16,000 lbs) | 16 tons (32,000 lbs) | 400 lbs/in | Max legal speed | 2021-09-03 (MP 13.61 at 4:38 PM; MP 27 at 5:38 PM) | Indeterminate |
| S-323 | MP 0 to 70.9 (Ekalaka to Alzada) | Axle weight restriction | 8 tons (16,000 lbs) | 16 tons (32,000 lbs) | 400 lbs/in | Max legal speed | 2021-09-03 at 12:33 PM | Until further notice |
| US-2 | MP 11.6 (bridge over Kootenai River, ~2 mi NW of Troy) | NO overweight loads includes permitted loads | All loads over legal weight prohibited, including overweight permits | Not specified | 2024-03-07 | Until further notice | ||
| US-87 | MP 1.5 to 2 (15th St N over Missouri River, Great Falls) | NO overweight loads use alternate route | All overweight loads must use alternate route | Not specified | 2025-06-23 at 3:52 PM | Until further notice | ||
Overweight Permit Restrictions
No overweight permits may be issued for any highway segment currently under a load or speed restriction. The 10% allowance provision of 61-10-144 MCA is not allowed on restricted routes. Drivers and carriers must verify restriction status before routing oversize or overweight loads through any of the listed segments. Consult MDT directly for any policy exceptions.
- US-2 at MP 11.6: Loads over legal weight including those operating under an overweight permit are prohibited until further notice.
- US-87 at MP 1.52: Overweight loads must use an alternate route. No permitted loads allowed through this segment. Effective June 23, 2025.
- S-261 (MP 13.6127) and S-323 (MP 070.9): Subject to axle weight and tire width limits no overweight permits to be issued.
Tire Width and Front Axle Credit
- On restricted routes with axle weight limits: maximum 400 lbs per inch of tire width (based on nominal tire markings).
- Front axle exception: 600 lbs per inch of tire width is allowed on the front axle regardless of the seasonal load limit in effect.
- Tire credit is calculated from nominal tire markings only.
Special Conditions and Operational Notes
- All speeds are limited to the maximum legal speed, or lower as posted where speed restrictions are imposed. Strict compliance will be enforced.
- US-2 at MP 11.6 (Kootenai River bridge, ~2 mi NW of Troy): No overweight loads of any kind, including permitted loads, are allowed until further notice.
- US-87 at MP 1.52 (15th St N, Missouri River bridge, Great Falls): Overweight loads must use an alternate route no permitted overweight loads through this segment. This is the most recently added restriction, effective June 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM.
- This order does not supersede any bridge restrictions currently in force on the same highway sections.
- Restrictions will be removed by proper authority when road and weather conditions permit. No new notice will be issued if restrictions remain unchanged.
- The S-261 restriction applies only to the county-maintained portion of the road from MP 13.61 to 27, north of Wibaux not the state-maintained segment.
- These are long-term structural and weight restrictions no seasonal frost-law start or end dates are stated.
Coverage Scope
- Restrictions apply to named state and US highway segments only specifically those listed above with mile marker ranges.
- Local road coverage is incidental, not comprehensive. The S-261 restriction segment (MP 13.6127) is county-maintained, not state-maintained, though listed in this MDT order.
- This order does not constitute statewide or blanket local-road coverage.
Primary Source: Montana Department of Transportation Current Road Restrictions (governed by Section 61-10-128 MCA).
Status retrieved: 2026-03-14 at 15:40 UTC.
Verify current segment details directly at the official source.
Verify current status before dispatch at mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/restrictions.aspx or call MDT Helena Maintenance Office at (406) 444-6372. Road Conditions hotline: 1-800-226-7623 or dial 511.
