MDOT lifts traffic restrictions in areas of UP to ease Memorial Day travel

UPPER MICHIGAN (WLUC) – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on 55 percent of its road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers.

According to MDOT, AAA estimates more than 1.3 million Michigan residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 4 percent increase from last year and the second-highest forecast since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday traffic.

Beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, May 24, and continuing until 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 85 out of 154 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.

”With the record amount of road and bridge work happening all across the state thanks to increased federal infrastructure investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program, it has never been more important for drivers to follow all posted signs and speed limits in work zones,” said State Transportation Director Brad Wieferich. “We understand the frustration construction can cause but we implore all drivers to follow the law, be patient, and help make sure everyone, including themselves, their passengers, and road workers, all make it home each and every night.”

MDOT oversees I, M, and US routes and is responsible for nearly 10,000 miles of state highways, which carry more than 50 percent of all traffic and approximately 70 percent of commercial traffic in Michigan.

The following is a list of Upper Peninsula work zones that will remain active or have lane restrictions during Memorial Day weekend.

Upper Peninsula

I-75 in St. Ignace, Mackinac County, will have one lane open in each direction.

I-75, Chippewa County, will have one northbound lane open over the Pine River.

M-28 near Trout Creek, Ontonagon County, will have one lane open in alternating directions over Rolston Creek via temporary signals.

M-35 in Gwinn, Marquette County, will have one lane open in alternating directions with a temporary signal.

M-48 south of Rudyard, Chippewa County, is closed between Centerline Road and Hantz Road with a posted detour.

M-134, Mackinac County, will have one lane open in alternating directions over the Pine River via temporary signals.

US-2 in St. Ignace, Mackinac County, will have the south half of the overpass over I-75 closed. One lane will be open in each direction on the north half of the bridge. 

US-2 west of Epoufette, Mackinac County, will have an eastbound passing lane restricted to one lane using a lane shift.

US-41/M-28 in Ishpeming, Marquette County, will have one lane open in each direction with a traffic shift at Lakeshore Drive.

If necessary, detour routes will be posted at the project location. All closures are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on MDOT projects, go to the Mi Drive website at www.Michigan.gov/Drive.

For more information, contact MDOT Superior Region Communications Representative Dan Weingarten at 906-250-4809.

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