News Summary
To ease traffic congestion during the Memorial Day weekend, Michigan officials announced the suspension of about 58% of ongoing road construction projects. The Michigan Department of Transportation confirmed that lane restrictions on 93 out of the 158 active projects will be lifted starting at 3 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Despite many work zones temporarily closing, travelers should remain cautious as some projects will still be operational, and heavy traffic is expected, with 1.3 million residents projected to travel at least 50 miles this weekend.
Lansing, MI – In a strategic move to alleviate traffic congestion over the Memorial Day weekend, Michigan officials announced that approximately 58% of ongoing state road construction projects will be suspended. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) confirmed that lane restrictions on 93 out of the 158 active projects will be lifted. This work suspension is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Friday and will continue until traffic restrictions resume at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
State Transportation Director Bradley Wieferich pointed out that while many work zones will temporarily close for the holiday to ensure safer and smoother travel, some ongoing projects will still be operational. Travelers planning to hit the roads can expect heavy traffic as it is projected that 1.3 million Michigan residents will journey at least 50 miles from home for this holiday weekend, as estimated by the American Automobile Association (AAA). This number indicates a slight increase from 2024 and marks the second-highest travel forecast recorded since AAA began monitoring holiday traffic.
Despite the suspension of many construction zones, motorists should remain vigilant as some major roads will still have traffic restrictions in place. Key projects that will affect weekend travel include:
- I-75 in Mackinac County: Northbound traffic in St. Ignace will shift to the southbound side at Cheeseman Road.
- M-48 in Chippewa County: Drivers will be detoured at the bridge over I-75 near Rudyard.
- I-75: This roadway will be reduced to one lane in each direction, with a posted speed limit of 60 mph.
- M-123 in Chippewa County: Expect one lane of alternating traffic with temporary signals at the mouth of the Tahquamenon River for bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 41 in Alger County: The roadway will remain closed between M-67 and M-94, with a posted detour available.
- Mackinac Bridge: One lane will be open in each direction across the bridge.
- M-72/M-22 in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties: One lane will remain open in each direction with temporary traffic signals.
- I-96 in Ionia County: Traffic shifts are implemented between Sunfield and Bliss roads, with the westbound I-96 ramps closed at Jordan Lake Road and M-66.
- I-196 in Ottawa County: Lane closures will continue in both directions south of Holland at Lincoln Road (M-40).
- U.S. 131 in Kent County: One southbound lane will be closed between Leonard and Wealthy streets, with additional traffic shifts and ramp closures.
- I-94 in Berrien County: Two lanes will be opened in each direction between set mile markers.
- U.S. 131 in Kalamazoo County: Two lanes will be operational in both directions at the U.S. 131 BR interchange.
- Zilwaukee Bridge in Saginaw County: All southbound lanes will be closed, and a detour is advised.
- I-475 in Genesee County: All southbound lanes will be closed between Carpenter Road and Broadway Boulevard; however, one northbound lane will remain open.
- Multiple lane closures and detours are anticipated in other counties, including Midland, Jackson, Eaton, Livingston, Ingham, Oakland, and Wayne.
In light of anticipated high traffic volumes, MDOT encourages travelers to exercise patience and allocate extra time for their journeys. For those planning trips, details on ongoing road construction projects are accessible through MDOT’s online map and construction list, enabling travelers to stay informed and plan their routes efficiently.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit Summer Road Construction Projects
- Wikipedia: Road Construction
- MLive: Michigan to Relax 58% of Construction Road Closures for Memorial Day Weekend
- Google Search: Michigan road construction
- Thumbwind: Michigan Memorial Day Travel
- Google Scholar: Michigan road construction projects
- MLive: 8 Road Closures Scheduled This Week Across Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Construction
- WZZM 13: MDOT Construction Projects Across West Michigan
- Google News: Michigan construction projects
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