A section of I-96 in Oakland County that was closed due to a downed power line has reopened to traffic. The incident, which affected both eastbound and westbound lanes between Milford and Wixom roads, was resolved after the power line was replaced. According to Click On Detroit, the closure occurred Friday morning after a construction crane contacted DTE Energy equipment, leading to a power outage and subsequent closure of the freeway.
During the incident, traffic was reportedly snarled for hours which led to frustration among drivers, some even found themselves trapped on the freeway with no available exits to reroute. A small fire that broke out along I-96, emanating from the downed lines was also reported by FOX 2 Detroit. The Michigan Department of Transportation quickly communicated alternative routes, suggesting eastbound I-96 traffic to use Grand River Avenue east to Wixom Road north, while westbound traffic was advised to use westbound Grand River to Kent Lake Road.
DTE Energy issued a statement ensuring the public that crews were on the scene to secure and "make safe" the area and anticipated restoration of power to affected, nearby residents by 11 a.m., as obtained by ClickOnDetroit. The Michigan Department of Transportation initially announced the freeway's closure on X at 7:38 a.m. earlier this week, with the freeway reopening later that day by 11:39 a.m.
UPDATE:
— MDOT - Metro Detroit (@MDOT_MetroDet) August 9, 2024
Other on EB I-96
Location: EB I-96 Milford
Lanes Blocked: All Lanes
Event Type: Other
County: Oakland
Event Message: Freeway Closed at Milford Rd. I-96 East Traffic use Grand River Ave East to Wixom Rd North.
UPDATE:
— MDOT - Metro Detroit (@MDOT_MetroDet) August 9, 2024
Other on EB I-96
Location: EB I-96 Milford
Lanes Blocked: All Lanes
Event Type: Other
County: Oakland
Event Message: Freeway Closed at Milford Rd. I-96 East Traffic use Grand River Ave East to Wixom Rd North.
Response from fire crews and DTE Energy workers was swift, according to details shared by CBS Detroit. After the replacement of the downed wire, which was brought down by the crane working within the construction zone, traffic was able to resume. Though the freeway has been cleared the Michigan Department of Transportation did mention that it could take a while for the traffic to fully clear.
