This week, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced it will keep nearly all of its 79 rest areas open this winter.
Only 5 of the 79 rest areas will be closed from December 2 through April 12, 2014.
The following five rest areas will close Dec. 2 and 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
MDOT says it will close the five rest areas due to reduced use during winter months and “safety concerns, such as steep entrance and exit drivers and potentially slippery conditions on stairways between the parking lots and the buildings.”
“Many look to our network of rest areas year-round for convenience and safety on their travels,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “For that reason, we keep as many open through winter as possible.”