Mich. Rest Areas Open For Winter
Some good news for snowmobilers and winter campers: The Michigan Department of Trasportation says most of the state's rest areas will stay open for the season.
MDOT officials announced they'll keep open 74 of the state's 81 rest areas this coming winter to maintain the convenience and safety they provide to motorists.
Only seven rest areas will be closed for the 17-week period beginning Dec. 6, 2010, and ending April 4, 2011. These closures are due to reduced use during winter months, safety concerns, or construction. All rest areas not closed for construction will remain open through the end of the regular firearm deer season, which ends Nov. 30.
"Motorists and tourists depend on our state's rest areas, an important safety and convenience feature of our state highway system," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "For that reason, we're committed to keeping them open throughout winter whenever possible."
Designated rest areas will have "Closed until Spring" signs posted, including the mileage to the next open rest area listed.
Six rest areas will reopen in April:
- St. Ignace Rest Area on southbound I-75 in Mackinac County
- Ludington Rest Area on northbound US-31 in Mason County
- Topinabee Rest Area on northbound I-75 in Cheboygan County
- Hebron Rest Area on southbound I-75 in Cheboygan County
- Hart Rest Area on southbound US-31 in Oceana County
- Okemos Rest Area on westbound I-96 in Ingham County. This rest area is under construction, and the April 4, 2011, reopen date is tentative.
Also, the Grand Ledge Rest Area on eastbound I-96 in Clinton County will remain closed until July 1, 2011, due to construction.
For up-to-date information on MDOT projects, go to the list of statewide lane closures at: www.michigan.gov/drive. For a guide to Michigan rest areas, click here.
As always, stay with WWJ for the latest from the roads during Traffic and Weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s.
