The orange barrel polka won't be nearly as much of a tap dance over the upcoming holiday weekend thanks to action by your friendly neighborhood road-builders and road repair workers.
This Memorial Day weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on more than half of its road and bridge projects to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers. AAA Michigan estimates 1.2 million motorists will be using Michigan roads and bridges during the annual gateway to summer – the highest Michigan travel volume for the holiday period in nine years.
Beginning at 3pm this Friday, May 27th, and continuing until 6am Tuesday, May 31st, at least 86 out of 123 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, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures, may remain in place.
Kirk Steudle is State Transportation Director for MDOT. He says, "While the Memorial Day weekend helps launch the busy summer travel season in Michigan, safety is always the top priority." He adds, "Drivers need to remember to buckle up, eliminate distractions and use caution, especially when traveling through work zones. We want to make sure everyone gets to their destination and home safely."
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.
For up-to-date information on MDOT projects, view the list of statewide lane closures on the Mi Drive website and app by clicking this link: www.michigan.gov/drive.
The following is a list of work zones in our area that will remain active or have lane restrictions during the Memorial Day weekend. If necessary, detour routes will be posted at the project location.
Southwest Michigan
- I-94, Berrien County, has one lane closed in each direction between Stevensville and Bridgman. Also, the Red Arrow Highway ramp to westbound I-94 at Bridgman (Exit 16) is closed with a detour posted.
- I-94, Kalamazoo County, has a traffic shift in place at 40th Street. All ramps at the interchange are closed with a detour posted.
- US-31, Berrien County, has one northbound lane closed over the St. Joseph River between Niles Buchanan Road and Walton Road.
- US-131, Allegan County, has one lane closed in each direction over Gun River. Also, the 106th Avenue ramp to northbound US-131 is closed with a detour posted.
- US-131, Kalamazoo County, has one lane closed in each direction between U Avenue and I-94 in Portage. Also, the Centre Avenue ramp to northbound US-131 is closed with a detour posted.
For more information, contact MDOT Southwest Region Communications Representative Nick Schirripa at 269-208-7829. Follow the Southwest Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_Southwest.
