Drivers in Oakland County are bracing for a new round of traffic delays as the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announces additional lane closures on Interstate 696. Beginning at 7 a.m. next Monday, westbound I-696 will be reduced to two lanes from Southfield Road to Lahser Road through late July, due to median work, as reported by CBS News Detroit. The restriction is expected to cause traffic backups and challenges for commuters.
Further complicating matters for motorists, a more significant disruption is set to commence on May 9. Westbound I-696 from I-75 to M-10 will be closed fully from 9 p.m., May 9 to 5 a.m., May 19 to facilitate the demolition of the Church Street plaza bridge. An alternate route, as advised by MDOT, will reroute westbound I-696 traffic via southbound I-75, westbound M-8 (Davison Freeway), and northbound M-10 (Lodge Freeway) to eventually loop back onto I-696. Additionally, a local westbound lane is to be maintained with access to Bermuda Street, M-1 (Woodward Avenue), and Coolidge Highway, stated the Detroit Free Press.
The demolition process will remove a total of 170 concrete beams, necessitating the extended closure period for safe completion of the work. This effort is part of a broader initiative, shared by MDOT and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, to enhance and repair Michigan's roadways. Whitmer has been vocal about her commitment to improving the state's infrastructure, promising substantial focus on road safety and economic growth. "We are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy," Whitmer said, emphasizing the priority of secure passage for "Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely," per the Detroit Free Press.
The expansive Restore the Reuther project will have a continued impact through to 2027. While 60 bridges are reportedly being addressed, with the rebuilding of the Church Street Plaza bridge among them, the eastbound lanes of I-696 from I-75 to Dequindre Road will remain closed into the fall of 2027. This suspension will allow to undertake a full rebuild of the roadway, including updates to numerous bridges and drainage structures, as documented by The Detroit News. In the interim, MDOT has proposed walkway detours to accommodate pedestrians during construction.
