Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


The Michigan Department of Transportation announced it will keep nearly all of the state's 77 rest areas open this winter to maintain the convenience and safety they provide to motorists.

It will again close five seasonal areas beginning December 2nd.

MDOT Chief Operations Officer Gregg Brunner said "Many travelers look to our network of rest areas for a safe stopping point on their travels, which is why we keep as many open as possible year-round".

Five rest areas are closed each year for a 20-week period - which will be this winter from December 2nd through April 14th. The seasonal closures are due to reduced use during winter months and safety concerns - such as steep entrance and exit drives and potentially slippery conditions on stairways between parking lots and buildings.

The following five rest areas will close in December and re-open 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

Closed rest areas are locked and winterized, with exit and entrance ramps barricaded. Designated rest areas will have "Closed Until Spring" signs posted and will have the mileage to the next open rest area listed.

Closed rest areas will be listed on MDOT's website.