Motorists navigating the I-696 corridor through Oakland County will find themselves in a bit of a traffic ballet as new construction efforts mean a major shift in traffic patterns. Starting Feb. 17, transportation crews will corral both directions of I-696 traffic into the eastbound lanes, extending from I-275 to the Lodge Freeway (M-10), according to details provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation. This reconfiguration is essential for the crews to rebuild the westbound side from M-10 to I-275.
Drivers should be prepared for tighter roads; eastbound I-696 is paring down to two lanes from I-275 to M-10 through late fall. According to a report by ClickOnDetroit, the shift began with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer over the past weekend, and additional changes are anticipated to hit the road starting next week. Westbound I-696, not wanting to be left out, will also be reduced to two lanes from M-10 to I-275 but only for a mercifully short duration of about a week.
These traffic pattern shifts are more than a mere inconvenience; they are keystones in a larger project known as "Restore the Reuther," a significant investment in Michigan's highway infrastructure. The project, encompassing the full reconstruction of the roadway's base, storm sewer replacement, and ramp rebuilds at crucial intersections, has been unfolding under Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program. Specifically, this $275 million investment is not just road work; it is purported to support directly and indirectly over 3,300 jobs, fueling the local economy and strengthening the state's vital traffic arteries.
Following these closures, detours will be put in place, with the northbound Orchard Lake Road ramp to westbound I-696 rerouted via westbound 12 Mile Road and southbound M-5 to westbound I-96. The Franklin Road ramp to westbound I-696 is not being left, being detoured via westbound 12 Mile Road and southbound Orchard Lake Road to westbound I-696 through late fall, as reported by both ClickOnDetroit and the Michigan Department of Transportation. Motorists are advised to buckle up for these changes and plan their routes—and their patience—accordingly.
