Motorists in Oakland County should prepare for significant disruptions as the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) begins a two-year reconstruction project on I-696. According to WXYZ, westbound I-696 will be fully closed from Lahser to I-75 starting at 10 p.m. on February 21, until 6 a.m. on February 22, and again from 10 p.m. on February 22 through 6 a.m. on February 23. These closures will allow for electrical work and bridge deck inspections ahead of the "Restore the Reuther" project, which is set to begin on March 1.
FOX 2 Detroit reports additional lane closures affecting commuters: the right lane of westbound I-696 will be closed from Greenfield to Lahser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily starting February 17, with the service drive also seeing restrictions. As part of these preparations, the "Restore the Reuther" project will involve a comprehensive overhaul of both directions of I-696 between Lahser and I-75. The project will include the rehabilitation of 60 bridges and various improvements to the freeway's infrastructure.
Commuters should expect significant detours as Michigan Department of Transportation implements their plan for the eastbound reconstruction phase throughout 2025. The prescribed detour will direct traffic from southbound M-10 to eastbound M-8 to northbound I-75 and back to eastbound I-696. "This is coming, it is a big impact, plan ahead," Michigan Department of Transportation construction engineer Brian Travis told WXYZ. Meanwhile, Michigan Department of Transportation is preparing for the possibility that motorists will use mile roads as alternate routes, which may lead to increased traffic on those roads.
Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that road work on I-696 is expected to cause disruptions through late fall 2027. As mentioned by ClickOnDetroit, the project will include updates to drainage structures, plaza reconstruction, and extensive pavement and bridge work. Michigan Department of Transportation has requested public patience, emphasizing that this will be the final large-scale project on I-696 for many years and will result in a more durable roadway for Michigan drivers.
Eastbound I-696 will be fully closed during the construction period, while westbound traffic will remain open to maintain some level of normal operations. Design project manager Kim Colburn expressed to WXYZ, “It’s the last stretch of 696 and this will be it for a lot of years, so we’re really excited about that." The Michigan Department of Transportation’s project aims to improve I-696, balancing temporary disruptions with long-term infrastructure upgrades.
