GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With a busy travel week expected, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is temporarily opening some closures to ease Independence Day travel.
About 2.6 million Michiganders are expected to drive for their Fourth of July plans—an increase from last year's numbers and a new state record. Beginning around 3 p.m. Wednesday, a majority of the closures caused by construction projects will be opened to make travel easier. The closures will be back in place by 6 a.m. Monday.
State Transportation Director Brad Wieferich said drivers are encouraged to stay cautious and know that some projects are still active.
"We've pulled back the barrels as much as we can for the holiday weekend but we couldn't do it for every project," said Wieferich. "We thank drivers for continuing to show patience behind the wheel and following all posted speed limits in work zones. Let's keep it up so everyone, including drivers, their passengers, and road workers, all make it home each and every night."
Here is a list of the projects that will still be active during the Fourth of July weekend:
West Michigan
- Jordan Lake Road, Ionia County, is closed over I-96 with all ramps open.
- Eastbound I-196 Business Loop, Ottawa County, is closed between Holland and Zeeland. Follow the posted detour.
- Eastbound M-6 near Cascade Township, Kent County, will have the ramp to westbound I-96 closed. Traffic is detoured via northbound M-37 and eastbound M-11 (28th Street) to westbound I-96.
- M-43 (E. Carlton Center Road), Barry County, is closed over the Coldwater River between Barber and Usborne roads. Traffic is detoured via M-37, M-79 and M-66.
- M-66, Barry County, is closed over Quaker Brook between Bivens Road and Lawrence Road. Traffic is detoured via Lawrence Road, Assyria Road, Devine Road, and M-79.
- The M-89/M-40/Hubbard Street/Ely Street/Cedar Street intersection in Allegan, Allegan County, is closed with posted detours.
- M-91 (Greenville Road), Montcalm County, is closed between Kendaville Road and M-46 (Howard City Edmore Road) with a posted detour.
- US-10 in Reed City, Osceola County, has one lane open in each direction over the Hersey River. US-10 Business Route (Chestnut Street) has one lane open in each direction from US-10 to the Hersey River.
- Northbound US-131 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, will have the ramp to I-96 and M-37 (Alpine Avenue) closed with traffic detoured via W. River Drive and southbound US-131 to I-96 and M-37. The M-37 (Alpine Avenue) ramp to eastbound I-96 is also closed.
- Southbound US-131, Kent County, will have lane closures and a traffic shift from 68th Street to 108th Street.
Southwest Michigan
- KL Avenue, Kalamazoo County, is closed and detoured at US-131.
- I-94 in Stevensville, Berrien County, has two lanes open in each direction. Westbound I-94 Exit 23 is closed and detoured.
- I-94, Calhoun County, has two lanes open in each direction between Helmer Road and 17 1/2 Mile Road.
- I-196, Van Buren County, has traffic shifted with one lane open in each direction from Hagar Shore Road to County Road 378.
- M-40 in Lawton, Van Buren County, is closed and detoured between 72nd Avenue and White Oak Road.
- M-51, Berrien County, has one lane open in each direction from Chestnut Street to Main Street.
- M-139, in Berrien County, is closed and detoured between Scottdale Road and John Beers Road.
- US-12, Berrien County, has one lane open in each direction between M-60 and Bond Street.
- US-131, Kalamazoo County, has one northbound lane open between Shaver Road and XY Avenue. Southbound lanes are closed with a posted detour.
According to AAA, the worst time to hit the road is between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. before and on the Fourth of July. If you're looking to beat traffic, you should head out in the morning.
To see the full list of ongoing projects and see the most up-to-date information on them, click here.
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