The City of Concord has posted “No Trucking – Load Limit 9 Tons” signs throughout Concord as of Monday, March 15. This practice is performed annually at the onset of spring to protect roads from heavy vehicles during the spring thaw. Weight restrictions are posted on roads to help minimize additional road damage from heavy vehicles on weakened road structures.
Road structures are naturally weakened around this time of year from the frequent freezing and thawing cycles. The fluctuating temperatures can cause the ground to shift, leading to cracks in the pavement. Frost heaves are formed when snow and rain get through the cracks and freeze underneath the roads, expanding the road upwards. As temperatures warm, the ground thaws and the roads contract back down, causing breaks in the pavement, potholes, and weak road structures.
The road load limits of 9 tons does not affect the average car or truck, but will impact heavy construction vehicles and commercial trucking. The weight restrictions will help maintain road conditions as Concord General Services crews patch potholes and make road repairs when possible. Residents can report potholes using the City of Concord’s new reporting tool at www.concordnh.gov/seeclickfix or by downloading the new mobile app, MyConcordNH.
The City of Concord does not issue permits for drivers for spring load limits. Drivers can call Concord General Services at (603) 228-2737 to request for travel permissions if necessary of 1-2 loads before noon. Find the list of streets that will be posted in Concord and more information at www.concordnh.gov/springoperations
Spring road load limits will be lifted for the City of Concord on Monday, April 5. Restrictions are being lifted now that snow has melted and ditches have dried up of any standing water. Consistent warmer temperatures have allowed roads to have time to dry out and stabilize. Starting Monday, Concord General Services' sign crew will begin to remove all load limit signs throughout the city. Drivers of heavy construction vehicles and commercial trucking will no longer need to seek travel permissions from the City and may resume travel starting Monday.