Traffic Delays Expected in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

News Summary

Starting Monday night, traffic disruptions are anticipated in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula due to an oversized load being transported from Escanaba to Cedarville. The oversized vehicle will move through several highways, causing lane blockages and reduced speeds. Motorists should also be aware of ongoing repairs on the Mackinac Bridge, which will further complicate travel plans during the busy Memorial Day weekend. Authorities advise drivers to plan ahead to avoid delays.

Escanaba, Michigan – Traffic delays are anticipated across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula starting Monday night as an oversized load is transported from Escanaba to Cedarville. The transport, which involves a large component of a dump truck, is set to begin at 12 a.m. Tuesday and is expected to conclude by 7 a.m. The route taken will include several roads, significantly impacting traffic flow in the area.

The oversized load will travel from Power Plant Road in Escanaba, proceeding eastbound on US-2, northbound on M-117, eastbound on M-28, southbound on M-129, and eastbound on Swede Road before reaching northbound Quarry Road in Cedarville. During this operation, the load is expected to block lanes and move at reduced speeds, leading to potential traffic delays for motorists along the route.

To facilitate the transportation and ensure public safety, Michigan State Police will escort the oversized load and assist with traffic control throughout the operation. Cars will be stopped ahead of and behind the oversized load as it makes its way along the designated route.

In addition to the transport of the oversized load, motorists should be aware that ongoing repairs on the Mackinac Bridge will also contribute to traffic delays. This work was initially projected to conclude by April 24; however, it has now been extended until May 29. As a result, there will be lane closures during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26), coinciding with one of the busiest travel times of the year.

Currently, the northbound lanes of the Mackinac Bridge are closed, diverting traffic to one lane in each direction on the southbound lanes. AAA predicts that over one million Michiganders will travel during Memorial Day weekend, with traffic peaking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on popular travel days.

Travelers heading to or from the Mackinac Bridge can remain informed about real-time traffic conditions and weather updates through the Mackinac Bridge Authority website. Toll fees for passenger vehicles, vans, motorcycles, and similar vehicles are set at $2 per axle or $4 per vehicle. Payment options for tolls include cash, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

As the situation stands, no significant weather issues are expected to impact motorists during the busy Memorial Day weekend. For live updates, individuals can access the Mackinac Bridge Cam, which provides real-time footage from various locations around the bridge.

Additionally, recent incidents, such as a traffic stop by the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office on April 9, have raised concerns regarding the relationship between local law enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. There are growing worries that cooperation between local police and federal immigration enforcement may lead to unexpected detentions, particularly affecting undocumented immigrants in the region.

Authorities advise drivers to plan ahead and expect potential delays due to the oversized load transport and ongoing repairs on the Mackinac Bridge during this high-traffic weekend.

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