Expect busy roads this Memorial Day with more than one million Michiganders heading out.

To help make travel a bit easier, the Michigan Department of Transportation has lifted traffic restrictions in construction zones when possible. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells us, unfortunately, there are still many work zones where lifting lane restrictions won’t be possible.

“This Memorial Day weekend, we are lifting restrictions on 85 out of 154 projects statewide,” Schirripa said.  “That’s a lower percentage than usual. Normally, we’re able to get more restrictions lifted, but there are so many projects around the state that involve bridge replacement or rebuilding projects that we simply can’t open lanes or bridges that aren’t there to open.”

In Southwest Michigan, Schirripa says that is the case. None of MDOT’s major work zones can be altered for the weekend. That means reduced lanes continue on I-94 in Berrien County, US-12 in Berrien County, M-139 in Berrien County, and M-51 in Berrien County. Same applies to the Van Buren County work zones for M-40 and I-196.

Schirripa says everyone should be extra careful when driving this weekend.

“Every weekend, and every day on the road, we want folks to make sure they’re wearing their seatbelts, put their phones down, minimize distractions, certainly pay attention to motorists in the road around you, and pay extra attention when you’re going through work zones.”

However, in other areas of the state, many work zone restrictions are lifted. Schirripa says you can keep track of them at Michigan.gov/Drive if you are headed to areas outside of Southwest Michigan.