MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Transportation is lifting traffic restrictions to ease Fourth of July travel.

While AAA recently forecast summer travel being down 15 percent this year, vehicles are expected to make up 97 percent of the favored mode of transportation. AAA also predicts car trips this summer will have the smallest drop in year-to-year traffic volumes, at only 3 percent.

The safety benefits include easing congestion and increasing safety.

Although some equipment and traffic configurations will remain over the weekend, suspending construction operations improves safety for workers and motorists. MDOT advises: Remember to buckle up, stay alert and avoid distractions at all times when driving.

Beginning at 3 p.m. today, and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, 169 out of 221 projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed. While motorists will see suspended operations in most MDOT construction zones for the weekend, drivers are advised that equipment and certain traffic configurations may remain in place, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures.

“With more regions of the state being reopened under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan, more folks will be taking trips for the first time in months,” said State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said in a release. “However, during that time, road and bridge construction has continued with road workers following proper safety procedures to ensure their health and safety. Drivers still have their part to play in the health and safety of everyone in work zones, including themselves. Slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions in all construction zones. Yes, most work zones are being suspended for the holiday weekend but there are still areas where we cannot pull back all the barrels due to the work in progress. Let’s make sure everyone makes it home each and every night.”

MDOT oversees I, M, and U.S. routes and is responsible for nearly 10,000 miles of state highways, which carry more than 50 percent of all traffic and approximately 70 percent of commercial traffic in Michigan. For up-to-date information on MDOT projects, go to the Mi Drive website at www.Michigan.gov/Drive.

The following is a list of Upper Peninsula work zones that will remain active or have lane restrictions during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. If necessary, detour routes will be posted at the project location.

≤ M-28 in Munising, Alger County, will have a directional detour in place. Westbound M-28 traffic will stay on M-28 through the roundabout under construction. Eastbound M-28 will follow the posted detour from M-28 to Chestnut Street, then Superior Street back to M-28.

≤ M-28, Ontonagon County, will have one lane open in alternating directions over the Baltimore River west of Bruce Crossing via temporary traffic signals.

≤ M-35, Marquette County, is closed from north of Marquette County Road 480 to south of Marquette County Road 492. A detour is posted.

≤ M-117 in Engadine, Mackinac County, will have one lane of alternating traffic at a railroad crossing via temporary traffic signals and a temporary runaround.

≤ U.S. 2, Delta County, has one lane open in each direction between Gladstone and Rapid River. Traffic is maintained on the existing westbound roadway.

≤ U.S. 2 in Marenisco, Gogebic County, will have one lane open in alternating directions over the Big Presque Isle River via temporary traffic signals.

≤ U.S. 41, Baraga County, will have one lane open in alternating directions via temporary traffic signals near Three Lakes.

≤ U.S. 41 in Hancock, Houghton County, will have at least one lane open in each direction at Quincy Hill.

For more information, contact MDOT Superior Region Communications Representative Dan Weingarten at 906-250-4809. Follow the Superior Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_UP.