PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK

(WTAQ-WLUK) — This year’s record-breaking summer travel season ends this Labor Day weekend.

According to AAA, domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is expected to increase 9% compared to last year.

Those arriving by car will get by a little cheaper than last year.

The national average for Labor Day weekend 2023 was $3.81. Over the past few weeks, gasoline prices have remained stable at around $3.50.

The expected busiest times for travel this weekend are:

• Thursday (29 August): 13:00 to 19:30
• Friday (30 August): 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday (31 August): Morning hours
• Sunday (1 Sept.): Afternoon hours
• Monday (2 September): 11am to 8pm

Additionally, drivers should be aware of some ongoing road construction projects before traveling. Although WisDOT temporarily halts most construction projects over Labor Day weekend, these areas will still impact traffic.

Road construction projects in northeast Wisconsin:

• Outagamie and Winnebago County: I-41 northbound is reduced to two lanes between Main Street and US 10/WIS 441 in the Fox Valley area. Significant delays are expected and drivers should consider alternate routes. Watch for lane changes and reduced speed limits.
• Outagamie County: Be aware of overnight (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) lane closures on I-41 between Appleton and Kaukauna. All ramps at the I-41 and County N intersection in Kaukauna will be closed.
• Outagamie County: WIS 15 is closed to through traffic between US 45 in the Town of New London and County T in the Village of Hortonville. Traffic is being detoured via US 45, County TT and County T.
• Winnebago County: I-41 is reduced to two lanes in each direction over the Lake Butte Des Morts bridge near Oshkosh. The ramp to southbound I-41 from US 45 is also closed. Watch for lane changes and reduced speeds.

Click here to see a full list of projects across the state.

Real-time information on travel conditions, live traffic cameras, construction and incidents across Wisconsin:

The alerts and updates provided through these websites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, you should always focus on the road ahead.

WisDOT offers these additional safety tips:

• Fasten your seat belt and put your phone away – every trip, every time. Encourage family, friends and colleagues to make the pledge.
• Slow down. The posted speed limits are for ideal travel conditions. Drivers must travel at a “reasonable and prudent” speed depending on weather and traffic conditions.
• Avoid distractions and focus on what’s in front of you. Texting while driving is illegal and very dangerous. Wisconsin also prohibits drivers from using a handheld mobile device in work zones.
• Make way or slow down when emergency responders are parked at the side of the road with their hazard lights flashing. This includes police and fire vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles. In addition, the use of mobile phones in the vicinity of these vehicles is prohibited by law.
• Steer, clear! State law requires drivers to move vehicles involved in an accident out of traffic if no one is injured and the vehicles can be moved safely. If someone is injured or the vehicle is disabled, drivers should not risk injury by attempting to move the vehicle out of traffic.

And if you plan on drinking alcohol, make sure you have a sober driving plan in place in advance. Law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign through Labor Day. Extra patrols will be deployed to focus on intoxicated drivers.

And the same goes for boating.

“Alcohol consumption and poor decision making are the two main factors that lead to boating accidents,” said Lt. Darren Kuhn, chief of the DNR’s boating law division. “Alcohol affects people very differently on the water than it does on dry land. The constant exposure to sun, waves, wind and all other environmental factors increases the rate at which alcohol affects someone on the boat.”

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also reminds the public to wear a life jacket.

There have been 13 boating-related deaths so far this boating season, nine of which were confirmed to be not wearing life jackets. The law requires that a properly sized portable life jacket be available for each person on board.

The law requires all persons born after January 1, 1989, to complete a boating course before they are legally allowed to operate a motorboat.

More DNR boating safety tips:

• Drive slower at night.
• Check your navigation lights before the sun goes down. All powerboats must have red/green navigation lights and all-round white lights when operating after sunset.
• If visibility is limited or you are traveling on unfamiliar waterways, drive slower.
• Keep an eye on the weather and tell someone where you are going.