Drivers prepare for two years of closures for I-696 construction project
(CBS DETROIT)—Drivers who use Interstate 696 are bracing for backups as a two-year construction project will close parts of the freeway.
The construction project will impact tens of thousands of drivers as the Michigan Department of Transportation rebuilds the freeway from roughly Lahser to I-75. That new paradigm is due to the last phase of the "Restore the Ruether" project. Construction includes replacing a bridge and rehabbing 60 others, drainage repairs, and pavement removal and restoration.
"The pavement and the freeways are about 36 years old now, so it's time to do it," said Brian Travis, a construction engineer with MDOT.
Meanwhile, MDOT says there will be a detour in place for commuters.
"It takes you southbound on M-10, eastbound on the Davison. That's M-8, then back northbound on I-75, kind of a big U shape going down into Detroit. It's about 25 miles long," said MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross.
Many residents said they aren't planning to use the detour as they are concerned with the length of the closure.
"You'll have to think twice if you really want to go to the east side," said Southfield resident Gary Cocozzolii. "Probably the first two months will be the worst as people try to acclimate to the new paradigm."
"No, I'm not even going to take them. Because everybody else is going to be taking it," said Marilyn Knapp.
"I think people are going to find alternatives, other than going 25 miles out of their way," said former Oak Park Mayor Jerry Naftaly, who was involved in the original construction of 696. "I think it's going to impact some of the mile roads, the service drives, put a lot of pressure where I don't know that it's necessarily necessary."
The closures will begin March 1 and continue through 2027.