GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials are suspending detours, traffic restrictions and construction projects ahead of a busy July Fourth holiday.
AAA expects 2.6 million Michiganders to travel more than 50 miles away from home to attend holiday festivities across Michigan.
Lizzie Macintosh says it’s a good idea to clear the roads this weekend.
"I definitely think it's a good idea, I think it makes the roads safer when there are a lot more cars and a lot more traffic,” Macintosh said. "I live about 30 minutes north of Grand Rapids and just getting here right now takes a little bit more time, so without the construction it'll make things a lot easier just getting down here."
According to MDOT, 105 of 174 projects are being suspended from Wednesday, July 3 at 3 p.m. until Monday, July 8 at 6 a.m. As part of efforts to make traveling safer and to ease congestion, traffic restrictions wherever possible are being lifted for drivers for the second year of the busiest Independence Day holiday weekend.
"Some of the major projects we can't lift up, so we've got some bridge replacements like Jordan Lake bridge that is being rehabbed which stays in place,” MDOT communications representative John Richard said. "Some of the smaller projects like surface maintenance we can lift those restrictions for these next four days for the holiday just to make things flow a lot better."
With MDOT’s goal of making it easier for drivers during the busy traveling period, it's not possible to pause all projects and lift all traffic restrictions. The 105 projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed and most MDOT work zones will be suspended while some equipment and traffic configurations will remain in effect for the holiday weekend.
"It won't take as long for us to get here because there won't be as much construction, it'll be a lot easier, so definitely excited about that,” Paige Sanders said.
MDOT is responsible for nearly 10,000 miles of state highways that carry 50 percent of all traffic and nearly 70 percent of commercial traffic in Michigan. With their yearly plans of preparing for busy holiday travel, they are advising drivers to stay alert.
"We really need folks to pay attention, look through the windshield not at your phone because that's key to see where you're going,” Richard said. "Slow down and be patient."
For the latest updates, visit MDOT's interactive map.
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