Expect heavy Electric Forest traffic on US 31

Expect heavy Electric Forest traffic on US 31

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor

ROTHBURY — As Electric Forest Festival attendees make their way to the Double JJ Resort this week, the Michigan State Police is reminding motorists to be careful.

“Try to avoid the area if at all possible,” said Michigan State Police Lt. John Forner. However, if you can’t avoid it, “be careful; drive alert; and be patient. There are going to be thousands of vehicles coming to the area over the next few days. Northbound US 31 at Winston Road is one of the major entry points for the festival goers. That is a good area to try to avoid.

“We’re probably going to have 1,800 to 2,000 cars come to the event today (Tuesday, June 20). Today, it’s kind of a trickle.”

Water Road in the venue’s vicinity was closed at midnight Saturday night, June 17, said Lt. Forner, and westbound traffic on Winston Road at Oceana Drive will be blocked soon. “Local residents who live in Rothbury, their best bet is to come to that location (Winston Road at Oceana Drive) and explain to a trooper that they’re one of the local residents (so they can drive through).”

Local motorists should expect heavy EF traffic Wednesday, June 21, as festival goers enter the venue and then again Monday morning, June 26, as festival goers leave.

“Avoid the area if at all possible,” said Lt. Forner of the Monday morning mass exodus. “There will be thousands and thousands of people that we will push out. The big push probably won’t happen until around 10 a.m. or noon. So, hopefully those Monday morning commuters to work will have a decent roadway to get through. Basically, by 10 a.m. Monday, try to avoid the area but be patient if you have to go through.”

The Michigan State Police are under a contract with Electric Forest Festival to provide public safety for the event, and troopers from all over the State of Michigan are on site. Most converged in the area Monday, June 19.

MSP does not release information regarding how many troopers are on site, said Forner. 

“There are a lot of blue state trooper cars in the community. People should expect to see a lot of blue goose vehicles in the area for the next week.

“We’re here to provide public safety for the event and traffic safety for getting the people in here and keeping the community safe while we do that. Those are our two major roles.”

As of Tuesday morning, no traffic issues in the area were reported.

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