Williams County officials announced on May 22 that new weight restrictions are in effect for all county and township gravel and chip seal roads in zones 5 and 6 following recent rainfall. As of 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, these roads are restricted to vehicles weighing up to six tons or a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 80,000 pounds.
The updated restrictions come after an earlier order at 9:26 a.m., which limited access on the same roads to vehicles with a GVW of up to 20,000 pounds due to additional rain received throughout the day. Specifically, CR 9 – also known as 130th Ave NW south of CR 11A (45th St NW) – remains restricted to vehicles not exceeding a GVW of 20,000 pounds because of road conditions caused by the precipitation.
Officials said these measures will remain until further notice while crews continue to monitor and re-evaluate road conditions over the coming days and weekend. The Williams County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing these temporary restrictions as part of its commitment “to serving and protecting the citizens of Williams County,” according to the official website.
The Sheriff’s Office operates from its Law Enforcement Center at East Broadway in Williston under Sheriff Verlan Kvande, with Kevin Simmons serving as chief deputy, according to the official website. The agency says it is dedicated “to preventing crimes, preserving peace, protecting life and property, detecting law violators and enforcing state laws and local ordinances,” according to the official website.
Broader implications include ensuring public safety during adverse weather events by limiting heavy vehicle traffic on vulnerable rural roads. Officials urge drivers in affected areas to observe posted limits until further notice.
