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MDOT lifts traffic restrictions to ease Fourth of July travel

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July 1, 2020 -- 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," said State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba. "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.

             For up-to-date information on MDOT projects, go to the Mi Drive website at www.Michigan.gov/Drive.

             The following is a list of work zones that will remain active or have lane restrictions during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. If necessary, detour routes will be posted at the project location. 

Upper Peninsula

M-28 in Munising, Alger County, will have a directional detour in place. Westbound M-28 traffic will stay on M-28 through the roundabout under construction. Eastbound M-28 will follow the posted detour from M-28 to Chestnut Street, then Superior Street back to M-28.

M-28, Ontonagon County, will have one lane open in alternating directions over the Baltimore River west of Bruce Crossing via temporary traffic signals.

M-35, Marquette County, is closed from north of Marquette County Road 480 to south of Marquette County Road 492. A detour is posted.

M-117 in Engadine, Mackinac County, will have one lane of alternating traffic at a railroad crossing via temporary traffic signals and a temporary runaround.

US-2, Delta County, has one lane open in each direction between Gladstone and Rapid River. Traffic is maintained on the existing westbound roadway.

US-2 in Marenisco, Gogebic County, will have one lane open in alternating directions over the Big Presque Isle River via temporary traffic signals.

US-41, Baraga County, will have one lane open in alternating directions via temporary traffic signals near Three Lakes.

US-41 in Hancock, Houghton County, will have at least one lane open in each direction at Quincy Hill.

For more information, contact MDOT Superior Region Communications Representative Dan Weingarten at 906-250-4809. Follow the Superior Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_UP.

Northern Lower Peninsula

M-55, Ogemaw County, will have one lane open on the bridge over the Rifle River with a temporary traffic signal.

M-72, Crawford County, will have lane width restrictions with one lane open in each direction from M-93 to North Campground Road.

M-204 in Lake Leelanau, Leelanau County, will have one lane open on the bridge over Lake Leelanau with a temporary traffic signal.

US-127, Roscommon County, will have lane width restrictions with one lane open in each direction from M-55 to Mile Marker 200.

For more information, contact MDOT North Region Communications Representative James Lake at 906-250-0993. Follow the North Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_Traverse.


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