To the best of my knowledge, these signs made an appearance at each entry to Bismarck a short time ago. You’ll find them on the highways leading into Bismarck from the north and south as well as near each I-94 exit ramp. What’s funny about them is that when I first saw them, I swear they simply said “Restrictions in Effect.”

No kidding, huh? Restrictions on what? I was going to call someone at the City offices to try to figure it out, but I’ve been busy. As I left work Wednesday I noticed that they suddenly had the word “Load” tucked into the white space above the word “Restrictions” as if it had been added as an afterthought. I think it had.

I’ve been known to be wrong before, but I am quite proficient at reading road signs at speeds WAY faster than I drive where these are posted. Having seen several in a day or two, each time wondering about what sort of insidious restrictions might be implied by the sign, I would have noticed if they mean load restrictions. I think this was a big oops. Oh well, maybe that’s why designers use white space in the first place…so you’ve got room to tuck in those pesky little words that someone left out.