The Grand Traverse County Road Commission announced Tuesday that Barney Road will reopen to traffic on Thursday, Nov. 6, concluding a period of construction that required temporary traffic controls. The temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Gray Road and Cedar Run Road, put in place to manage flows during the work, will be removed the same day.

The reopening restores a key local route used by residents, commuters and service vehicles in and around the Traverse City area. During the project, traffic had been rerouted and managed through temporary signals and altered patterns, disrupting some routines for drivers and local businesses. With the removal of the temporary light, the commission says travel will return to its pre-construction configuration, though motorists should expect short-term adjustments as lines, signage and pavement markings are finalized.

The road commission, which oversees county road maintenance and improvement projects, coordinated the work to balance construction progress with traffic safety and access. Temporary traffic management measures such as the Gray and Cedar Run signal are commonly used to protect workers and maintain flow while paving, drainage or structural work is completed. The decision to take down the signal signals the nearing end of that phase of work on Barney Road.

Local impacts will be immediate. Drivers who had been following detours will be able to resume more direct routes, which can reduce travel time and improve access for deliveries and local errands. Businesses near Barney Road that experienced changes in traffic patterns during the construction period may see more predictable customer access. At the same time, county officials caution that some residual construction activity — final striping, signage updates, and site cleanup — can continue for a short period after reopening, and temporary lane shifts or minor delays are possible.

For pedestrians and cyclists, the return to normal traffic patterns will also alter crossing points and signal timings; residents are advised to remain attentive when moving through the area. Emergency services and public agencies that rely on efficient routing will benefit from the restored corridor, improving response times and service access across parts of the county.

As the region moves forward with this project, the reopening of Barney Road illustrates the routine work of local infrastructure agencies to maintain and upgrade transportation assets. For now, the community can anticipate improved connectivity but should heed the road commission’s guidance to proceed with caution while crews complete finishing work and traffic patterns fully normalize.