Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan will lift lane restrictions on nearly 60% of its road and bridge projects for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, aiming to ease travel for an estimated 1.3 million residents.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will suspend work on 100 out of 168 statewide projects from 3 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, until 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2026. This move is intended to reduce congestion and enhance safety during what AAA forecasts to be the second-highest Memorial Day travel period on record for the state.
Governor Whitmer said, "This Memorial Day weekend, we’re temporarily removing orange barrels and lifting lane restrictions to make travel smoother and easier and help Michiganders get where they need to go." She added that work would resume after the holiday, with a goal to fix 26,500 lane miles of roads and almost 2,000 bridges by the end of her administration.
State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich acknowledged that some work zones must remain active, urging drivers to be patient and follow posted signs for safety. He attributed ongoing projects to bipartisan funding legislation, the Rebuilding Michigan program, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Motorists are reminded to buckle up, stay alert, and avoid distractions.