Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that traffic restrictions will be removed on nearly 60 percent of Michigan's road and bridge projects statewide, starting Thursday afternoon, to alleviate delays for Fourth of July holiday travelers. This measure will see 106 out of 179 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects suspend lane restrictions.
The adjustment aims to facilitate smoother travel for the more than 2.6 million Michiganders AAA estimates will journey at least 50 miles from home this holiday weekend. Governor Whitmer said, "As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this Fourth of July, we want every Michigander to get where they’re going safely and with fewer delays." She added that lane restrictions and orange barrels would be temporarily lifted along key routes.
The temporary lift begins at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and continues until 6 a.m. Monday, July 6. While most state road work zones will see suspended operations, motorists are advised that equipment and certain traffic configurations, such as temporary shifts or shoulder closures, may still be present.
State Transportation Director Bradley Wieferich emphasized driver responsibility. "We want you to get out and enjoy everything this state has to offer, but we need every driver to understand the responsibility they have behind the wheel, not just for themselves but everyone traveling our roadways," Wieferich said, urging drivers to reduce distractions and travel at posted speeds.
Governor Whitmer concluded by stating, "But once the holiday weekend ends, we'll get right back to work fixing the damn roads. By the end of my administration, we will have fixed 26,500 lane miles of roads and almost 2,000 bridges, supporting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs."