Commuters in Oakland County are bracing for traffic disruptions as major work on I-696 commences, promising to reshape the daily routes of many for several months. ClickOnDetroit reported that starting at 7 a.m. today, westbound I-696 has been reduced to two lanes from Southfield to Lahser roads to facilitate median work. This setup is expected to remain until late July, adding tension to the morning commute.
In addition to the ongoing lane reductions, a full closure of westbound I-696 is scheduled, complicating travel plans further. Slated to begin at 9 p.m. on May 9 through May 19, the stretch from I-75 to the Lodge (M-10) will be closed off as the Church Street Plaza Bridge is demolished, according to a WWJ Newsradio report. The associated detour will reroute westbound traffic south on I-75, west on the Davison Highway, and then north on the Lodge Freeway back to I-696, setting the scene for potential delays.
The overall initiative, dubbed "Restore the Reuther," is an expansive project aimed at reconstructing both directions of I-696 between I-75 and Lahser over the next two years. As part of this project, MDOT spokeswoman Diane Cross conveyed to WWJ Newsradio, "This really the only big one that we're gonna have going on for such a long time period." She also mentioned that while additional weekend closures might occur due to other bridge work, these would not be as extensive as the demolition project.
Looking ahead, motorists can anticipate the eastbound side of I-696 to remain closed through fall 2026, further solidifying the profound impact the construction activity will have on local travel patterns. Moreover, the full closure in May is necessitated by the demolition of 170 concrete beams and the subsequent cleanup of debris. "Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer affirmed in a statement obtained by WWJ Newsradio.
