As summer finally approaches, there is a lot to look forward to.

Beach days, hiking, outdoor concerts and camping trips give Yoopers a lot to be excited about each year, but with those fun activities comes another summer event that isn’t quite as enjoyable: road work.

While the prospect of added time to your commute due to sitting in stopped traffic may not be ideal, Upper Peninsula residents (and by extension, most Michiganders) will tell you that our roads are in desperate need of work, largely due to the extreme weather conditions that we deal with throughout the winter.

This summer, the Michigan Department of Transportation has a lot of big projects planned here in the U.P.

According to an MDOT spokesman, motorists will encounter dozens of road and bridge projects this construction season from one end of the U.P. to the other.

“Around the U.P., we’ll see a lot of orange barrels this year,” said Dan Weingarten, MDOT Superior Region communications representative.

Weingarten said MDOT is responsible for the state trunkline roads (U.S.- M- and I-routes) around the state. MDOT has 37 projects scheduled this year around the region ranging from road rebuilding and resurfacing, to bridge work, carpool lots, traffic signals, to railroad crossing work, he said.

Approximately $85 million total, slightly more than last year’s budget, will be invested by MDOT in the U.P. to rebuild and maintain our transportation infrastructure through construction projects this year, he said.

Signing and preliminary work started April 1 on a $5.2 million project to resurface nearly 6 miles of U.S. 41 from south of the M-94 east junction to north of Kunde Road in Marquette County. Work includes asphalt crushing, shaping and resurfacing; grading; drainage; guardrail; and pavement markings. Major work is expected to begin Thursday, May 15, with a project end date of Sept. 15. One lane of alternating traffic will be open on U.S.41 using traffic regulators.

Also in Marquette County, M-35 from the Marquette/Alger county line to Little Lake will get an approximately $3 million investment for an asphalt overlay of 10 miles of highway and a railroad crossing replacement. Tentatively set for June-late July.

Finalized start dates for some projects haven’t been made yet, Weingarten said. Spring weight restrictions are still in effect for the entire Upper Peninsula, which can delay the movement of large machinery. Those restrictions may be lifted in the next couple of weeks, but that depends on the weather.

For up-to-date information as construction season approaches, check www.Michigan.gov/drive, MDOT’s interactive MiDrive map. Motorists can see which projects are active, where lanes are closed or detours are in place.

While we understand that road construction can be a hassle for motorists, it is vital to recognize that well-maintained roads are important for the health of our vehicles and the safety of those of us who are in those vehicles.