GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It's beginning to feel a lot like 2019 when it comes to summer travel.
Airports and highways will be packed this 4th of July weekend.
Over the next few days, staff at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids will be working hard to make sure everything runs smoothly, although there could be some disruptions.
Meanwhile on the ground, some construction projects are being put on hold.
Thursday, June 30th is the busiest day for travel at Ford International Airport.
"A friend of mine is getting married this weekend and so she lives out here in Western Michigan and she's having a wedding here in Grand Rapids," said Cam Flowers, an airline passenger.
The airport's preparing to welcome 31,000 guests during the 4th of July weekend which is about a 12% increase over last year and mirrors pre-pandemic levels.
"We are asking people to pack their patience, really," said Alex Peric, COO of the Airport Authority. "There could be some disruptions. Staffing is there to meet operation to make sure things are smooth, but anything can happen. Weather can happen. Please check our airport website and each airline website."
To alleviate traffic on the ground, many construction projects are being put on hold as AAA Michigan estimates more than 1.5 million Michiganders will be traveling over the holiday weekend, a ten percent increase over last year.
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will pause one hundred projects on freeways and highways starting at three PM Friday through six AM Tuesday.
Lane restrictions will be removed, but shoulders will remain closed and most construction equipment will stay in place.
The big major projects currently in staged construction will stay in place including the one from Hudsonville to Zeeland, ramp work at I-96 and M-21, and the big reconstruct at I-96 and M-6.
"It's the bridge rehabs, resurfaces, all those lane closures can be pulled over the holiday weekend," said John Richard, a Communications Representative with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). "There's going to be so many people traveling so we like to open up as many lanes as possible to accommodate the busy weekend travel."
Some flights were cancelled Thursday at Ford International.
Airlines are dealing with industry-wide challenges including higher than planned unscheduled absences, weather and air traffic control constraints.
"I think the biggest thing I was concerned with too was, like, a lot of thunderstorms were going on and in others parts of the country at the same time so I was hoping please, let me get there on time and not have any delays," said Flowers.
"The number one thing we're asking people to do is get here at least two hours early and get through TSA early," said Peric.
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 (Source: MDOT).
West Michigan Work Zones
- I-96, Kent County, has one westbound lane open with a traffic shift between Whitneyville Avenue and 36th Street. The following ramps will be closed:
- The eastbound I-96 ramp to westbound M-6,
- The eastbound M-6 ramp to eastbound I-96, and
- The 36th Street ramp to eastbound I-96.
- I-96, Kent County, has the eastbound ramp to southbound US-131 closed with a posted detour. The M-37 (Alpine Avenue) ramp to southbound US-131 is also closed.
- I-96, Muskegon County, has one lane open in each direction at Hile Road near US-31.
- I-96, Muskegon County, has one lane open in each direction over Norris Creek near Fruitport.
- I-196, Kent County, has westbound lanes shifted at the I-196 Business Loop (Chicago Drive) interchange in Grandville. The eastbound I-196 ramp to Chicago Drive is closed, and the Chicago Drive ramp to westbound I-196 is closed.
- I-196, Ottawa County, has a traffic shift with two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane open between Hudsonville and Zeeland.
- M-40 (Lincoln Road), Allegan County, has one lane open over I-196 with temporary traffic signals.
- M-179 (129th Avenue), Allegan County, has the ramp to southbound US-131 closed.
- US-31, Allegan County, has the northbound lanes closed at I-196 with traffic detoured to Adams Street (Exit 52). The southbound US-31 ramp to Washington Avenue/Blue Star Highway is closed.
- US-131 Business Route (19 Mile Road) in Big Rapids is closed between 220th Avenue and Northland Drive. Detour posted.
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