MDOT To Keep Most Rest Areas Open Throughout 2006-07 Winter

The St. Ignace Rest Area on I- 75 southbound in Mackinac County will be among rest stops closed from December 1 through April 2, 2007, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced November 27.

The department will keep 73 of the state's 81 rest areas open during the upcoming winter months, with eight sites closed for a 17- week period as a cost-saving measure.

All rest areas will remain open until the conclusion of the firearm deer season November 30.

Five rest areas will reopen in April, including the St. Ignace Rest Area, Ludington Rest Area on US-31 northbound in Mason County, Topinabee Rest Area on I- 75 northbound in Cheboygan County, Hebron Rest Area on I-75 southbound in Cheboygan County, and Hart Rest Area on US-31 southbound in Oceana County.

Due to construction, three downstate rest areas are expected to remain closed until June 1, 2007, in Calhoun County, St. Clair County, and Wayne County.