Will I-196 Business Loop construction affect Tulip Time?

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — Starting Saturday, up to 600,000 people are expected to visit the eight-day annual Tulip Time Festival. As people make the trip to Holland this year, they may have to keep an eye on construction.

Earlier this month, MDOT began a $17 million project to repair 4.5 miles of the I-196 Business Loop between Holland and Zeeland.

“It’s served us well but we’ve got to get in there and rip it out and put in some new pavement. So, it’s been a long time coming,” said John Richard, an MDOT spokesperson.

Until August, the eastbound lanes of the business loop between US-31 and 88th Avenue will remain closed, but it’s not expected to create too many problems accessing the festival.

“Centennial Park, where most of the activities are and where the festivities will be, you can access US-31 or 196 and you can bypass the business loop all together,” Richard said.

Drivers who live near the construction zone are expected to experience the most inconveniences and MDOT is working to keep them and other drivers informed of how to work around it.

“There’s signage everywhere, way before you get to the business loop. We’ve been putting notices out, there’s a special email list that’s very project specific for this closure,” Richard said.

While speaking with News 8 last week, Tulip Time’s executive director Gwen Auwerda said maps are available online and they’ll have physical ones highlighting alternative routes.

“If they’re coming into town and don’t know where they’re going, Google maps is going to send them on Business I-196 so we really felt like we needed to come up with some solutions to help people move around,” Auwerda said.

As multiple road construction projects take place in West Michigan, Richard said drivers should be prepared for delays.

“You always need to allow more time for commutes especially with major closures,” Richard said.