JUNEAU - The Dodge County Highway Department has posted temporary 10,000 ton weight restrictions on a number of highways that have experienced an increased traffic volume due to the closing of Highway 33 in Horicon.

Affected highways include: Highway S from Highway 26 to Highway 67; Highway E from Highway S to Hustisford, and also from Highway R in Hustisford to Highway S; and Highway TW from Highway S to Highway 33.

"Increased traffic on Highway S and a few connecting highways between Horicon and Highway S are experiencing more traffic because highway 33 is closed and its more convenient to use this route as opposed to the detour," said Dodge County Highway Commissioner Brian Field.

Increased traffic coupled with the still-frozen ground has been a tough combination for the roadways. Field said the weight restrictions were imposed before serious damage occurs.

"The roads are showing some failure and damage in some areas and we want to stop that," said Field. "Our hope is that in a couple weeks the frost is completely out of the roadways and our subgrade dries up so things are firm enough to support the loads, then we can lift the restrictions."