LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – With winter weather around the corner comes word that havens for weary motorists to get a respite from the snow, wind and cold will remain, for the most part, open throughout Michigan.
With five exceptions, all of the 78 rest areas operated by the state Department of Transportation will stay open through the winter, including the rest area on eastbound I-196 between Zeeland and Hudsonville named in honor of Judge Hannes Meyers, one on southbound I-196 near Saugatuck named for William Beachler, one on Northbound I-196 near Glenn named for Wayne Roe Junior, and one on westbound I-96 near Nunica named for Leo DeFrain.
Those exceptions over a 20-week period that begins on Tuesday and runs through April 28th include three along I-75 on both sides of the Mackinac Bridge and two off of US-31 due north from the Lakeshore – northbound near Ludington and southbound near Hart. According to MDOT officials, those five were chosen due to reduced use and safety concerns, such as steep entrances and exits, along with potentially slippery stairways between parking lots and buildings.
Signage noting where the next rest area is open will be posted at the closed rest areas, and the closures will be listed at MDOT’s construction and information website.
