This Independence Day weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on nearly 60 percent of its road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers. AAA Michigan estimates more than 1.7 million Michigan residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a new record.
 

Beginning at 3 P.M. Friday, June 30, and continuing until 6 A.M. Wednesday, July 5, 99 out of 175 projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed. While motorists will see suspended operations in most MDOT work zones for the weekend, drivers are advised that equipment and certain traffic configurations may remain in place, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures. 

"Summer traffic means a lot more folks on the road, especially during Fourth of July weekend," said State Transportation Director Brad Wieferich. "Drivers are certainly aware of all the road and bridge work happening across the state, including those projects made possible thanks to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program. We ask all drivers to continue to drive safely through work zones and follow all posted signs for their safety, their family's safety, and for road workers' safety. Slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions in all work zones. Work zone safety is truly a team effort. Everyone deserves to make it home each and every night."

Drivers are also reminded that Michigan recently became the 26th state to establish hands-free driving laws. These new laws take effect June 30. More information is available on the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning website.

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. 

The following is a list of work zones that will remain active or have lane restrictions during Independence Day weekend. If necessary, detour routes will be posted at the project location. All closures are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on MDOT projects, go to the Mi Drive website at www.Michigan.gov/Drive. 

Northern Lower Peninsula

• I-75, Cheboygan County, will have northbound traffic shifted to southbound I-75 with a movable barrier wall. 

• US-23, Alcona County, is closed from Black River Road to F-41 with a detour on local roads. 

• US-31 in Alanson, Emmet County, will have southbound traffic detoured on Milton Road.
   
• US-31 in Manistee, Manistee County, will have one lane open in each direction on the bascule bridge.

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.

West Michigan

• 109th Avenue, Allegan County, is closed at I-196.
   
• Blue Star Highway, Allegan County, is closed at I-196.
   
• Burton Street in Grand Rapids, Kent County, will be closed over I-96 and detoured via Patterson Avenue, M-11 (28th Street) and Kraft Avenue. 

• I-196, Ottawa County, will have one eastbound lane and two westbound lanes open between Zeeland and Hudsonville. 

• I-196 Business Route (BR) (Byron Road) in Zeeland, Ottawa County, is closed at the I-196 interchange. The westbound I-196 ramp to westbound I-196 BR is open while all other ramps at the interchange are closed. 

• US-31 BR (Seaway Drive) in Muskegon, Muskegon County, will have one lane open in each direction between Hoyt Street and Shettler Road.

For more information, contact MDOT Grand Region Communications Representative John Richard at 616-262-1565. Follow the Grand Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_West.

Southwest Michigan

• I-69, Eaton and Calhoun counties, will have the following restrictions:
  • One lane open in each direction between I-94 and Stine Road.
  • The southbound I-69 ramps to M-78 and eastbound I-94 are closed and detoured.
  • The eastbound I-94 ramp to northbound I-69 is closed and detoured.
  • The Turkeyville Rest Area on southbound I-69 is closed. 

• I-94, Calhoun County, has two lanes open in each direction between Helmer Road and M-96 (Michigan Avenue). 

• I-94, Kalamazoo County, has the westbound ramp to Portage Road closed. Portage Road has one lane open in each direction. 

• US-12, Branch County, has single-lane closures in place with traffic shifts from Willow Lane to West Old Chicago Street in Coldwater, and one lane open over the Coldwater River with a temporary signal. 

• US-31, Berrien County, has one lane open in each direction between US-12 and M-139. 

• US-131, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties, has one lane open in each direction between Schoolcraft and Three Rivers. 

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.

Central Michigan and Thumb 

• 3 Mile Road, Bay County, is closed over US-10.
   
• North Road, St. Clair County, is closed at M-136 and detoured via North River Road and North Vincent Road.
   
• I-69, Lapeer County, will have one lane open in each direction from M-24 to Lake George Road with a traffic shift. The eastbound I-69 ramps at M-24, Wilder Road, and Lake Pleasant Road are closed.
   
• I-69, St. Clair County, has lane closures and traffic shifts in place from M-19 to Taylor Road. The westbound ramps at Wales Center Road and Taylor Road are detoured.
   
• I-69 Business Loop (BL) in Port Huron, St. Clair County, has all westbound lanes closed from 24th Street to I-94 BL. Detour: I-94 BL, Lapeer Street, and 24th Street.
   
• M-15 in Atlas Township, Genesee County will have one lane open in each direction with temporary signals between Horton Road and Cathy Drive, and between Hill Road and Maple Avenue.
   
• M-15 in Davison, Genesee County, has one lane open in each direction between Potter Road and Dodge Road.
   
• M-20 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella County, has one lane open in each direction with a center turn lane from Summerton Road to Mission Road.
   
• M-52, Shiawassee County, is closed at Estey Drain and detoured via Johnston Road, State Road and Juddville Road.
   
• M-57 in Montrose, Genesee County, has one lane open over the Flint River with a temporary traffic signal.
   
• M-65 in Twining, Arenac County, will have a single-lane closure over Big Creek with a temporary traffic signal.
   
• M-90 in Croswell, Sanilac County, is detoured over the Black River via Todd Road, Galbraith Line Road and Wildcat Road.

For more information, contact MDOT Bay Region Communications Representative Jocelyn Garza at 989-245-7117. Follow the Bay Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_Bay.

Southern Michigan 

• The following local streets are closed in Jackson, Jackson County, for railroad work:
  • Mechanic and Jackson streets are closed at the railroad tracks.
  • Detroit Street is closed at Mechanic Street.
  • Van Buren Street is closed at Jackson Street. 

• I-69, Clinton County, has one lane closed in each direction at Peacock Road.
   
• I-75, Monroe County, has the following restrictions:
  • One lane closed in each direction with a traffic shift between Erie and Otter Creek roads.
  • The northbound exit ramp to Otter Creek Road is closed.

• I-94, Jackson County, has the following restrictions:
  • The Dearing Avenue ramp to westbound I-94 is closed and detoured.

*To see a full list of statewide zones, visit www.Michigan.gov/Drive.