MDOT suspends construction for July Fourth holiday, urges safety
Published 9:31 am Friday, July 3, 2015
To accommodate motorists traveling throughout Michigan over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will remove traffic restrictions on 120 of 155 active projects statewide. AAA Michigan estimates 1.3 million travelers will be using Michigan roads and bridges during the annual celebration of the nation’s independence.
Beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, July 6, MDOT will suspend construction wherever possible on state roads and bridges. State roads are designated as I, M and US routes. While construction zones may be closed for the weekend, motorists are advised that equipment and temporary traffic configurations, like minor shifts, may remain in place, requiring motorists to adjust their speed and pay attention.
“We’re all looking forward to another incredible holiday in the Great Lakes State,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “However, motorists need to remember to remain focused and alert at all times, especially through work zones. Another key to staying safe is to be informed. If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to download the free Mi Drive app and know what’s ahead of you before you even leave the driveway.”
Downloaded nearly 50,000 times from Google Play and iTunes, MDOT’s popular free Mi Drive app provides traffic incident alerts, live traffic webcams, and additional construction information. The Mi Drive website also remains available at www.michigan.gov/drive.
MDOT maintains and oversees nearly 10,000 miles of state highways, which carry more than 50 percent of all passenger traffic and approximately 70 percent of commercial traffic in Michigan.
Over the Fourth of July holiday, the following work zones will have active traffic restrictions in place:
• I-69, Calhoun County, has shoulder closures. 15 1/2 Mile Road has one lane open over I-69 with temporary traffic signals.
• I-94, Berrien County, will have two lanes open in each direction over Hickory Creek.
• I-94 Business Loop (Stadium Drive) in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, has one lane open in each direction over US-131.
• M-60 in Mendon, St. Joseph County, has a posted detour for westbound traffic.
• M-139, Berrien County, will have one lane open at Matthew Road with a temporary traffic signal.
• M-139, Cass County, will be closed over the St. Joseph River with a posted detour in Niles.
• US-31 in Holland, Allegan County, has lane closures over Washington Avenue. Washington Avenue will be closed.
• Sprinkle Road in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, has one lane open in each direction over I-94.
For more information, contact Nick Schirripa, Southwest Region Communications Representative, at (269) 337-3927.