KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – To help ease the upcoming Labor Day Weekend traffic, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on nearly 60 percent of its road and bridge projects statewide.
Beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, September 3, and continuing until 6 a.m. Tuesday, September 7, 83 out of 147 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.
Travelers are also reminded that, for safety and security, the Mackinac Bridge will be closed to public traffic on Labor Day from 6:30 a.m. to noon during the Annual Bridge Walk.
Southbound I-75 and US-2 traffic will be stopped at Exit 344 on the north side of the bridge; northbound I-75 traffic will be stopped at Exit 337 on the south end.
For more information, visit the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) website at www.MackinacBridge.org/Walk or call the MBA at 906-643-7600.
“This summer has been very busy with many Michiganders and visitors from other states traveling here to enjoy everything our great state has to offer,” State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said in a statement. “It’s been even busier with more work than ever happening on state roads and bridges thanks to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program. With that in mind, we remind all drivers to slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions in work zones. Road workers are trusting you with their lives while you’re depending on them to fix the roads. Let’s keep working together to make sure everyone returns home safely each and every night.”
For up-to-date information on MDOT projects, view the list of statewide lane closures on the Mi Drive website at www.Michigan.gov/Drive.
What to Expect in West Michigan –
The following is a list of work zones that will remain active or have lane restrictions during Labor Day weekend. If necessary, detour routes will be posted at the project location.
– I-196 in Grand Rapids has a traffic shift between Ionia and Maryland avenues with one lane open in each direction. Plymouth Avenue is closed at I-196; the Fuller Avenue on ramp to eastbound I-196 is closed.
– I-196 in Grand Rapids has the eastbound lanes closed over the Grand River on the east side of US-131. One lane is open from Ionia Avenue to Fuller Avenue.
– I-196, Allegan County, will have one lane open in each direction between Holland and Saugatuck with westbound traffic shifted over to the eastbound side before M-40. Northbound US-31 traffic is detoured to eastbound I-196 to M-40. The M-40 on ramp to westbound I-196 is closed. The Saugatuck Rest Area remains closed.
– I-196, Allegan County, has a traffic shift with one lane open in each direction over Pier Cove Creek, just south of M-89.
– M-37, Newaygo County, will have a traffic shift with one southbound lane open between the Muskegon River and Quarterline Street. Northbound M-37 is closed and detoured between Quarterline and Water streets. Southbound traffic is shifted to the northbound side between Quarterline Street and M-82, with one lane open in each direction.
– US-131 in Grand Rapids has lane closures in both directions between Franklin Street and I-196.
– US-131, Allegan County, will have one southbound lane open at M-179; the M-179 ramp to northbound US-131 will be closed. Lane closures are in place on M-179 east of US-131, and 129th Avenue is closed on the west side of US-131.
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.
What to Expect in Southwest Michigan –
– County Road 653, Van Buren County, is closed at I-94. Detour posted.
– I-69, Branch County, has one lane open in each direction between Jonesville Road and Fenn Road.
– I-69, Calhoun and Eaton counties, has one lane open in each direction between I-94 in Marshall and Sherwood Road in Olivet.
– I-94, Berrien County, has two lanes open in each direction from I-196 to Britain Avenue.
– I-94 BL (Main Street) in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, is closed from Crystal Avenue to I-94. Detour posted.
– I-94 BL (Michigan Avenue) in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, is closed at Portage Creek. Detour posted.
– M-139, Berrien County, is closed between Linco Road and John Beers Road. Detour posted.
– US-131 BR in Constantine, St. Joseph County, has one lane open in each direction over the St. Joseph River between Broad Street and 3rd Street with a temporary traffic signal.
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
