ORANGE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Drivers on I-96 through Ionia County have been facing more than just delays in the construction zone. The Michigan State Police say more crashes are happening and too many have turned deadly.
Orange barrels are nothing new in the summer, but this project, spanning from mile marker 67 south of Ionia into Kent County is different. It’s a long-term rebuild.
Lt. Jason Zylstra with the MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division said since the construction started in March, there have been more than 50 injury crashes involving commercial vehicles, including nine that were deadly.
“With construction, you’re going to have an increased level of traffic congestion,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had lots of property damage, crashes, personal injuries and fatalities in the construction zone.”
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Traffic is squeezed into single lanes for long stretches, making for sudden slowdown hot spots. Multiple people at a nearby gas station told News 8 they avoid the area when traveling from West Michigan to Mid-Michigan because of the uptick in crashes.
Zylsta said a common problem is distraction and drivers not leaving enough space between vehicles. On a ride-along with News 8 Friday, Zylstra pulled over a semi-truck driver who was drifting out of his lane while looking down at something. That’s the kind of thing Zylstra said can turn dangerous in a heartbeat.
That’s why MSP teamed up with the Michigan Department of Transportation for extra enforcement.
“It’s a big collaborative effort to get some change in the area,” he said.
On Wednesday, more than 30 MSP patrol vehicles conducted operations to help reduce construction zone crashes on I-96. They had a check lane and conducted inspections and MDOT increased signage in the area. Zylstra deemed the program a success, saying MSP’s presence alone helped deter unsafe driving behaviors by commercial motor vehicle drivers.
“We’re trying to figure out, what’s the most effective thing out of this? Is it the signs? Is it our partners that we’re working with? Is it just the increased presence of the MSP?” he said. “We can follow that stuff up in the future with a plan because right now, we’re just not sure what we can do sustainably that we’ll get the best effort out of it.”
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Zylstra said the most important thing for drivers to remember is to allow extra distance between you and the car in front of you and to stay alert.
“Appreciation is given to drivers who are safe, attentive and follow the zipper merge, along with fellow first responders, MSP members, and to MDOT for always seeking to improve our roadways. Remember to always pay attention, slow down, and prepare to stop when nearing construction zones,” he said in a release.
Construction will not be complete until late 2027.
“This isn’t going to change, so we’re going to to figure out a plan to have some kind of impact in fact so we can increase safety,” Zylstra said.
MSP and MDOT will be conducting the operation again Tuesday.
