I-696 construction project delayed to March 3 due to weather
A major construction project on Interstate 696 that was set to begin on Saturday was delayed to Monday due to weather, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
MDOT says road closures would not begin until March 3 as they prepare for the final phase of the Restore the Reuther project in Metro Detroit.
Officials say crews will begin laying pavement markings and initiating lane and ramp closures on eastbound I-696 from M-10 to Interstate 75 at 9 a.m. Eastbound 696 is expected to be fully closed by the afternoon. Westbound and eastbound lanes will be rebuilt between Lahser Road and I-75. However, eastbound lanes will be detoured through southbound M-10, eastbound M-8 and I-75.
The project is expected to take about two years to complete. In 2027, the freeway will undergo major road work between I-75 and Dequindre Road.
Monday's temperatures are expected to be in the 40s with the day predicted to be mostly sunny.
Meanwhile, many drivers say they did not plan on using the detours because they were concerned about the length of the closures.
"You'll have to think twice if you really want to go to the east side," Southfield resident Gary Cocozzolii told CBS News Detroit earlier this month. "Probably the first two months will be the worst as people try to acclimate to the new paradigm."
