Metro Detroit drivers are staring down yet another construction headache, as the Michigan Department of Transportation prepares to close a key ramp that funnels traffic from southbound I-75 onto westbound I-696 near Royal Oak. The closure, announced yesterday, is set to begin in early April and run into early summer, tightening an already tough commute for tens of thousands of daily trips across Oakland County.
The shutdown is part of the multiyear Restore the Reuther rebuild of I-696. Commuters who have already spent months navigating last year's detours say one more closure in the mix will mean longer routes for school buses, small businesses and rush-hour regulars.
What MDOT is closing and how the detour will work
According to yesterday's update from the MDOT, the ramp from southbound I-75 to westbound I-696 will be completely closed starting in early April.
Drivers who usually rely on that connector will be detoured onto westbound M-102, also known as 8 Mile Road, then up northbound M-10, the Lodge Freeway, to reconnect with westbound I-696.
MDOT says westbound I-696 currently has two lanes open between Dequindre Road and I-75. The specific ramp work along the corridor will vary in length, but crews expect to finish the interchange portion of the project by early summer.
Commuters say the latest detour will sting
Speaking to CBS Detroit, MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross said the ramp shutdown will affect tens of thousands of drivers every day and stressed that motorists should stick to posted detours rather than trying to improvise their own shortcuts.
Cross noted that some drivers may instead take M-53, also known as Van Dyke, to reach M-59 or 8 Mile. She also cautioned that the construction schedule could shift depending on the weather or what crews find while doing the construction.
Local drivers told the station they understand the need for the work, even if they are not thrilled about the disruption. Commuter Paul Misiewicz said he would not want to drive under a bridge he feared might fail, and school-bus driver Tom Marsh described the existing detours as "inconvenient." With another closure layered on top, that inconvenience is not likely to ease anytime soon.
Restore the Reuther: where the project stands
This ramp closure is the latest phase in the Restore the Reuther program, a massive rebuild of I-696 that is scheduled to wrap up in 2026. After that milestone, work is slated to move into major reconstruction between I-75 and Dequindre Road in 2027, according to MDOT.
As part of the broader project, roughly 60 bridges are being repaired or rebuilt. That list includes the Church Street Plaza bridge, which required a temporary walkway detour while crews worked, the agency said.
How drivers can brace for the closure
Transportation officials say they will post signage and detour maps in the area and are urging drivers to build extra time into their trips and think through alternate routes before jumping on the freeway. Cross told CBS Detroit that for some motorists, Dequindre will serve as the last entry point to reach westbound I-696.
For context on earlier phases of the long-running project and past ramp shutdowns, see Hoodline coverage of earlier detours at the I-696 and I-75 interchange. Drivers are encouraged to monitor updates from MDOT and check navigation apps before heading anywhere near the construction zone.
