RELEASE: Gov. Whitmer Announced Removal of Orange Barrels and Other Traffic Barriers to Ease Memorial Day Travel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

May 22, 2024 

Gov. Whitmer Announced Removal of Orange Barrels and Other Traffic Barriers to Ease Memorial Day Travel

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that lane restrictions will be lifted on 55% of road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers over Memorial Day weekend.

“This Memorial Day weekend, we’re temporarily removing orange barrels and lifting lane restrictions to make travel smoother and easier,” said Governor Whitmer. “But once Memorial Day is over, we'll get right back to work fixing the damn roads. Since I took office through the end of this year’s construction season, we will have repaired or replaced nearly 23,000 lane miles of roads and 1,600 bridges, supporting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.”

The American Automobile Association (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 four 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. 

Here is list of work zones that will remain active or have lane restrictions during Memorial Day weekend. 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. 

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