Drivers heading out for Labor Day weekend will find fewer orange barrels on Michigan highways starting Friday, Sept. 4.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will remove lane restrictions on 91 of its 156 active road and bridge projects statewide beginning at 3 p.m. Friday. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office announced the pause Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Whitmer said in a statement that the state is "temporarily removing construction barrels and lifting lane restrictions on as many projects as we can."

The roughly 40 percent of projects that remain active may still have equipment, temporary lane shifts or shoulder closures in place. Detour routes will be posted where needed. Drivers can check specific project status at Michigan.gov/Drive.

What it means locally

The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is also suspending most local road construction on the same schedule. RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar announced the local pause Aug. 31.

"Whenever possible, we suspend road construction over the holiday weekend to help reduce traffic delays and improve the flow of travel," Kolar said.

Closer to home, one road worth noting: 10 Mile Road from Middlebelt Road to Inkster Road in Farmington remains closed through the weekend for culvert removal and replacement work. Drivers should plan alternate routes around that stretch.

Kolar also prohibited hauling of most heavy earth-moving and large contractor equipment on county roads during the holiday. That means fewer oversized trucks on local roads between Friday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

Mackinac Bridge closure

Travelers heading north should note the Mackinac Bridge will close to public traffic on Monday, Sept. 7, from 6:30 a.m. to noon for the Annual Bridge Walk. Southbound I-75 and US-2 traffic will be stopped at Exit 344 on the north side. Northbound I-75 traffic will be stopped at Exit 337 on the south end.

Lane restrictions resume statewide at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.