Rush hour on Detroit's west side snarled in a hurry yesterday afternoon when both directions of I-275 were shut down at the I-96/M-14 interchange after power lines fell across the freeway, grinding traffic to a crawl. The closure was first reported just before 4:30 p.m., as utility crews and state transportation officials rushed in to secure the scene and set up detours.
Detours and delays
State transportation officials said northbound drivers on I-275 were being pushed off to Ann Arbor Road, while southbound traffic was diverted onto eastbound I-96, with no estimated time for when the freeway might reopen. The warning from MDOT's Metro Detroit office made it clear that commuters should brace for major backups.
Local TV coverage quickly picked up the shutdown and noted the Ann Arbor Road detour as traffic stacked up in the area. The initial on-air alert about the closure went out around 4:29 p.m., according to WDIV ClickOnDetroit.
Utilities urge caution
DTE Energy reminds customers to treat every downed power line as live and extremely dangerous, and directs people to report outages through its outage line or its online outage center. For power problems, the company lists (800) 477‑4747, according to DTE Energy. DTE also advises staying at least 25 feet away from any fallen lines.
Consumers Energy gives a similar warning and lists (800) 477‑5050 for customers in its service territory to report issues. If a downed line creates an immediate hazard, people should call 911 first, then contact the utility, according to Consumers Energy.
How to stay safe and plan your drive
Officials are urging drivers to steer clear of the I-275 and I-96/M-14 area and expect heavy delays until crews finish their work. If you see a downed power line that appears to pose a direct threat, call 911, then notify the utility, WDIV ClickOnDetroit reported.
WDIV's safety guidance recommends keeping at least 20 feet away from fallen lines, while utility safety pages call for even more space. In any case, do not touch the wires or anything that is in contact with them.
Commuters should check traffic maps and outage pages before heading out and expect lingering backups on feeder roads while crews work. Transportation officials are asking drivers to stick to alternate routes and give responders room to operate. This story will be updated as agencies release reopening times and restoration estimates.
