IRON MOUNTAIN — A warmer-than-normal winter, especially the past two weeks, has caused area road commissions to put road restrictions in place much earlier than normal.

Weight restrictions for Dickinson, Iron and Menominee counties went into effect 6 a.m. Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Transportation announced that restrictions on state trunklines would take effect at 6 a.m. today. Weight restrictions typically don’t start until March.

Marinette County’s road restrictions will take effect at 6 a.m. Saturday.

Florence County in Wisconsin has yet to enact restrictions. Road Commissioner Joe Witynski said frost still appears to be about 3 feet into the ground and with cold nights in the forecast he does not see a need for restrictions at this time, adding it would be difficult to remove them once in effect.

When roads that have been frozen during winter begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground, making it more susceptible to damage, according to MDOT.

This contributes to pothole problems already occurring due to this winter’s numerous freeze-thaw cycles. Restrictions will remain until the frost line is deep enough to allow the moisture to escape.

Al Forstrom, Dickinson County Road Commission’s weighmaster, can’t remember the restrictions coming into play this early in the year.

“Years ago they went on in early February temporarily and then came back off,” Forstrom said.

Brad Toivonen of the Iron County Road Commission said restrictions could be in effect for the duration of spring, but Forstrom hopes they’re only temporary.

“If it gets really cold for quite a while again they will probably come off,” Forstrom said. “If we do get some colder days and colder nights, we can get permits out to anybody that needs them.”