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Michigan Department of Transportation lifting some traffic restrictions for Memorial Day Weekend

Route 54 - Lighthouse Road Construction 1-2012 by Lee Cannon is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

The Michgan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is loosening some traffic restrictions over the next few days.

The agency is making the changes as part of an effort to make it easier on drivers traveling during the Memorial Day weekend.

The changes take effect Friday at 3 p.m. and expire June 1st at 6 a.m.

MDOT is re-opening most lanes that have been closed to construction. Some of the re-openings include the shoulders of East bound and West bound I-96 from St. Joe to Mount Hope Road. South Bound Creyts Road over I-496 will also reopen.

MDOT spokesperson Aaron Jenkins says the department makes the decision to temporarily suspend road work on holidays to accommodate people’s travel plans.

“We do understand that the construction zones can slow down you are having your time with your family and your friends, so we try to make it a lot better for you by lifting some of the restrictions," Jenkins said.

Jenkins is asking drivers to still pay close to attention to the roads because MDOT equipment will still be on site over the weekend.

“We realize people in Michigan are anxious to spend time with their friends and their family, and we want you to drive safely and with as little hassle as possible," Jenkins said.

The full list of traffic changes can be viewed here.

MDOT routinely suspends road projects on holidays to make it easier for people to travel during these times, the next time the department will ease traffic restrictions will be over the Fourth of July holiday