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AAA, MSP anticipate busy travel weekend

According to AAA it is going to be a banner year in terms of the the number of people traveling on Memorial Day weekend. Weather, on the other hand, will be less than stellar, at least in northern Michigan.

AAA estimates 39.3 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more from home, which is the highest projected total since 2005. Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president of travel and publishing, said in a press release the increase in the number of travelers is due to an economy that is better than in years past.

“The spike in Memorial Day travel mirrors the positive growth seen throughout the travel industry this year,” Sutherland said. “Higher confidence has led to more consumer spending, and many Americans are choosing to allocate their extra money on travel this Memorial Day.”

The method of transportation people plan on using will be up across the board, Sutherland said, but as is usually the case, more people will drive to their holiday destinations despite the average price of a gallon of gasoline having increased by 26 cents.

Roughly 34.6 million Americans are expected to drive, while 2.9 million are expected to fly. An additional 1.47 million people are expected to use other means of transportation, including trains, buses and cruises.

With so many motorists on the road this weekend the Michigan State Police will have a full complement of troopers on patrol watching for people speeding, and drinking and driving. In a press release Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue said Operation Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts and Click It or Ticket initiatives will be in full swing. She said troopers also will be looking for child seat safety and distracted driving violations. Last year there were five fatal crashes during Memorial Day weekend.

“MSP are joining their counterparts across the country to promote traffic safety over the busy travel period,” Etue said. “Troopers will be on patrol to encourage safe and responsible driving.”

Residents and people visiting Alpena this weekend are in line to experience lower than average temperatures, especially near Lake Huron, and rain.

National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Kurz said Saturday has the highest temperatures of the three day weekend and also likely will be the driest. He said temperatures should be in the mid-60s, but rain is expected to develop overnight into Sunday morning. He said the rain will move out temporarily Sunday night before returning Monday late morning.

“Unfortunately is it going to be a little unsettled Sunday with a chance of rain and a stray thunderstorm,” Kurz said. “Monday won’t be a total washout, as it should be dry in the morning. Rain is likely to return in the afternoon and there is a chance of rain at any point after.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.

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