MDOT suspending work for Labor Day travel

Mississippians planning to hit the road to spend time with family and friends this Labor Day will notice fewer travel delays due to construction. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will suspend all interstate and four-lane highway work in anticipation of increased holiday travel.

MDOT crews and contractors will halt all road construction requiring lane closures from Friday, Sept. 4, at 5 p.m. until Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6 a.m. This will provide maximum travel capacity and minimal construction delays to motorists traveling throughout the state during the holiday.

“Even though no highway construction work will be occurring across the state, motorists should be aware that some lane closures will remain in place,” MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath said in a statement. “These lanes closures are there to protect motorists, and drivers should treat these areas as active work zones.”

Motorists are urged to continue to pay attention to work zones, which can present unfamiliar driving patterns. Motorists should slow down when approaching and traveling through work zones, and always avoid distracted driving.

“MDOT wants to make travel safe and convenient for the public during this holiday,” McGrath said. “While MDOT construction crews won’t be working, staff will be putting additional effort into monitoring the state’s highways to make sure everyone is able to enjoy this Labor Day safely.”

Highway traffic may increase on Labor Day weekend as travelers fit in a final trip for the summer. MDOT offers these tips to help motorists stay safe this Labor Day weekend:

• Buckle up and make sure your passengers do so as well.
• Make sure all children are in safety seats appropriate for their size.
• Don’t drink and drive. Always plan a designated driver when needed.
• Allow enough time for travel to avoid excessive speed and observe speed limits.
• Eliminate distracted driving activities such as eating or cellphone usage.
• Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.

“Stay safe and make memories while celebrating this weekend,” McGrath said. “Take advantage of the state’s useful travel resources to make your trip safer and more enjoyable.”

If you’re traveling this holiday weekend, know before you go. Download the MDOT Traffic app to access real-time traffic information. For additional travel tips or other travel related information, visit MDOTtraffic.com.