Orange barrels will be moved to ease Fourth of July weekend travel

Those darn construction cones won’t be a problem on most freeways this weekend.

Tuesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that as of Wednesday afternoon, traffic restrictions will be removed on nearly 60% of Michigan’s road and bridge projects to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers.

“Fourth of July weekend is a time to come together with family and friends to enjoy the splendor of Pure Michigan and celebrate our independence,” Governor Whitmer said, in a news release. “To ensure Michiganders can get to their destinations safely and on time, we’re moving construction barrels and lifting traffic restrictions.

AAA estimates more than 2.6 million Michigan residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, setting a new record for the second consecutive year.

Nearly 23,000 lane miles of roads and 1,600 bridges across the state have been repaired or replaced during Whitmer’s term.

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished, and I wish every Michigander a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend,” Whitmer said.

Drivers will be free of orange cones starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday, and until 6 a.m. Monday, July 8.

Of the statewide projects in the works, 105 out of 174 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.

“Drivers across the state know full well how much record-setting road and bridge work is happening in Michigan right now thanks to increased federal infrastructure investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program,” said State Transportation Director Brad Wieferich. “We’ve pulled back the barrels as much as we can for the holiday weekend but we couldn’t do it for every project. 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.”

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 work zones that will remain active or have lane restrictions during Independence Day weekend in Macomb County include: Clinton River Road will remain closed under M-53  (Van Dyke Avenue).

To view the entire list of work zones visit michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2024/07/01/mdot-lifts-traffic-restrictions-to-ease-4th-of-july-holiday-weekend-travel

If necessary, detour routes will be posted at the project location. All closures are subject to change.

For more information go to the Mi Drive website at Michigan.gov/Drive.