No more potty stops in St. Ignace. Until next April

NEWS RELEASE

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

************************* MDOT keeps most rest areas open through winter

To maintain the convenience and safety they provide, most Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) rest areas will remain open during the coming winter.

Only five rest areas will be closed for the 17-week winter period that begins December 7, 2009, and ends April 6, 2010.

The closures are due to reduced use during winter months and safety concerns regarding steep hills or curves that are difficult to keep clear of ice and snow. "Our rest areas are an important feature of our state highway system, and motorists and tourists have come to depend on their convenience," said MDOT Director Kirk T. Steudle."We're committed to keeping them open whenever possible to ensure that convenience." MDOT will reopen the following rest areas in April:

- St. Ignace Rest Area [shown during a warmer time of the year] 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.

Designated rest areas will have "Closed until Spring" signs posted, including the mileage to the next open rest area.

For up-to-date information on MDOT projects, go to the list of statewide lane closures here.

Follow MDOT on Twitter or visit the "Michigan Department of Transportation" page on Facebook and become a fan.

*************************