The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says it's pausing all state construction projects to accommodate heavy traffic related to Thanksgiving and deer hunting this week.

The DOT says there will be no lane restrictions due to construction on any interstate highway in Wisconsin during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

In most cases, that means projects are finished for the season and orange barrels won't return until the spring.

Last year, 16 people died during crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That was two more than the five-year average and the deadliest Thanksgiving holiday in 18 years.

The DOT says the heaviest travel is expected on Sunday as deer hunters and Thanksgiving travelers return home the same day.