Flint to strictly enforce 5-ton limit on Saginaw Street to protect historic brick roadway

Mayor Sheldon Neely and city officials said the City of Flint will strictly enforce an existing 5-ton (10,000-pound) weight limit on Saginaw Street between Court Street and 1st Avenue to preserve the downtown's historic brick roadway and avoid costly repairs.

"The city will strictly enforce the existing 5 ton or 10,000 pound weight limit on Saginaw Street between Court Street and 1st Avenue," said the presenter during the broadcast, explaining that semi trucks, concrete mixers, dump trucks and fully loaded delivery vehicles commonly exceed the limit and should use alternate routes. City officials said passenger cars, SUVs, pickups and most small commercial vehicles are not affected.

City leaders framed the move as preservation-minded: recently installed brick sections showed signs of damage, and enforcement aims to reduce long-term maintenance costs and retain the corridor's character. Officials encouraged drivers to follow posted signs and take alternate routes when needed to protect the city's brick surface.

The announcement was made during the mayor's WFLT broadcast and was repeated later in the program as part of the mayor's closing remarks.