To make travel safer and more efficient, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on nearly 75 percent of its road and bridge projects statewide.
More Americans will travel for this 4th of July holiday than ever before, according to projections from AAA. That goes for Michigan, too. The auto club expects more than 1.48 million Michiganders to travel at least 50 miles from home for the Independence Day weekend, a 3.3 percent increase from last year's holiday travel period. The last time Michigan's travel volume for Independence Day weekend was higher was 15 years ago.
Beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, June 30, and continuing until 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, 94 out of 129 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.
"Traveling to summer destinations in Michigan is always exciting. But driving is serious business and motorists need to focus at all times," State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle said. "Many of our work zones will be removed for holiday travel, but driver attentiveness must remain. Please drive with care as we celebrate our country's independence."
