04/03/2026
We've received questions about why garbage trucks can't be granted an exemption to run during the current road bans. We appreciate the questions and want to make sure everyone understands what's at stake.
During spring thaw, frost melts from the top down and traps a saturated layer of soil beneath the pavement. Heavy trucks on roads in this condition don't just cause wear — they can shatter the road surface entirely, requiring full reconstruction.
Road damage from overweight vehicles during spring thaw can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or more to repair. For a town our size, that kind of damage would mean a significant property tax increase for every resident — far more than what anyone is paying for garbage service.
It's also important to understand that these aren't just Town of Arthur road bans. Chippewa County's seasonal weight limits went into effect on March 5th, and WisDOT enforces its own spring thaw restrictions statewide. Even if we opened every town road tomorrow, the county routes these trucks need to reach our roads are already banned. The trucks can't get here to begin with.
Road bans are not a decision we take lightly, and we know the disruption is frustrating. This is an ongoing discussion at our board meetings, and there is no easy answer. But allowing heavy equipment to destroy roads that taxpayers will then have to pay to rebuild is simply not an option.
To help during this period, the Town has offered all local garbage providers the option to place a dumpster at Town Hall for their customers' use. We have not yet received a response from any provider. If your service has been interrupted, please contact your garbage provider directly to ask about their plans during road ban season.
