LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — This Fourth of July holiday, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on more than three-quarters of its road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers.
While AAA recently forecast summer travel being down 15 percent this year, vehicles are expected to make up 97 percent of the favored mode of transportation. AAA also predicts car trips this summer will have the smallest drop in year-to-year traffic volumes, at only 3 percent.
Beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, July 6, 169 out of 221 projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed. While motorists will see suspended operations in most MDOT construction zones for the weekend, drivers are advised that equipment and certain traffic configurations may remain in place, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures.
“With more regions of the state being reopened under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan, more folks will be taking trips for the first time in months,” State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said in a statement. “However, during that time, road and bridge construction has continued with road workers following proper safety procedures to ensure their health and safety. Drivers still have their part to play in the health and safety of everyone in work zones, including themselves. Slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions in all construction zones. Yes, most work zones are being suspended for the holiday weekend but there are still areas where we cannot pull back all the barrels due to the work in progress. Let’s make sure everyone makes it home each and every night.”
MDOT oversees I, M, and US routes and is responsible for nearly 10,000 miles of state highways, which carry more than 50 percent of all traffic and approximately 70 percent of commercial traffic in Michigan.
A full list of suspended projects in the Southwest Michigan area can be viewed below:
- I-69, Branch County, has one lane closed in each direction at Fenn Road and State Road. Fenn Road and State Road traffic is detoured.
- I-94, Berrien County, has two lanes open in each direction. Eastbound I-94 traffic is shifted over to the westbound lanes while westbound traffic is shifted over to the New Buffalo weigh station ramp.
- I-196, Van Buren County, has one lane open in each direction from County Road 380 to M-140 for bridge work at Mile Marker 17.
- US-31, Berrien County, has one lane open in each direction for bridge work at US-12. US-12 has one lane open in each direction at US-31. The US-12 loops ramps to US-31 are closed and detoured.
- US-131 in Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, has traffic shifted with one lane open in each direction. Arnold Street is closed. Broadway Street has a directional detour allowing eastbound traffic only.
More information on these projects can be received by contacting MDOT Southwest Region Communications Representative Nick Schirripa at 269-208-7829 or by following the Southwest Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_Southwest.
For up-to-date information on all state MDOT projects, go to the MI Drive website at www.Michigan.gov/Drive.
