Drivers are getting one extra night's reprieve before the "split-merge" on I-96 begins. It was suppose to start Monday night but M-DOT pushed it back.
Road repairs on I-96 are going to cause a new traffic flow.
"There may be some confusion because any time you introduce a new traffic pattern during construction, it always takes a few days to get used to that" said Kari Arend of Michigan Department of Transportation.
M-DOT wants people driving on I-96 in Lansing to be aware of the new "split-merge" lanes.
"That allows essentially three lanes of traffic on one side of the freeway and then the additional lane on the existing bound which is more like a local lane" Arend said.
That local lane, westbound on 96, will still flow as normal but M-DOT wants it reserved for immediate exiting onto Cedar Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
"If you're committed at getting off Cedar Street make sure that you committee yourself early enough so that you're not making an abrupt maneuver at the last minute" said Lt. Joe Thomas of State Police.
Drivers headed East will have to go to U.S. 127 to get off 96. State police worry drivers won't be aware of that sudden change.
So police will make their presence felt during construction.
"We will enforce it like we normally enforce traffic laws here in the state of Michigan and we will take a slightly aggressive approach if we need to" said Lt. Thomas.
He says drivers need to be cautious and aware of all traffic signs.
"Watch your speed, make sure you're driving the appropriate speed limit as you go through the construction zone, be patient because there may be some congestion" Lt. Thomas said.
