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Codington County sets spring‑thaw road limits and asks state patrol to assist enforcement
Summary
To protect asphalt roads during spring thaw, the board adopted a resolution setting a 40 mph truck speed limit and a seven‑ton per‑axle load limit on asphalt roads during March 1–May 1 when signs are posted and asked the S.D. Highway Patrol for assistance enforcing the limits.
Codington County Commissioners adopted a spring‑thaw road protection resolution at their Jan. 8 meeting that sets temporary seasonal limits on speeds and axle loads for asphalt-surfaced county roads.
The resolution limits truck speeds to 40 miles per hour and caps maximum loads at seven tons per axle on asphalt surfaces during the spring thaw period (March 1–May 1) when temporary signs are posted. The board authorized and requested the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s assistance in enforcement under state statutes that set penalties for load violations.
Highway Superintendent Rick Small introduced the measure, describing the seasonal damage patterns and the need to protect the county’s pavement investment. The board approved the resolution by motion, and the county later posted the required signage each spring to activate the seasonal limits.
Why it matters: Spring‑thaw weight limits are a common local government tool to reduce costly pavement damage when subgrade support is weakest. The resolution instructs law enforcement to enforce limits and references state statutes that set penalties for violations.
What happens next: The county posts the temporary signs in March; the Highway Patrol enforces weight and speed regulations while limits are on display.
