ORANGE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Drivers on I-96 through Ionia County have been facing more than just delays in the construction zone. The Michigan State Police say more crashes are happening and too many have turned deadly.

Orange barrels are nothing new in the summer, but this project, spanning from mile marker 67 south of Ionia into Kent County is different. It's a long-term rebuild.

Lt. Jason Zylstra with the MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division said since the construction started in March, there have been more than 50 injury crashes involving commercial vehicles, including nine that were deadly.

“With construction, you’re going to have an increased level of traffic congestion,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had lots of property damage, crashes, personal injuries and fataliti

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