Interstate Closure Will Require Detroit Commuters to Use City Streets for Two Years

      Michigan Department of Transportation

      The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is closing eastbound traffic on a nine-mile section of Interstate 696 in Oakland County, Michigan, for a reconstruction project expected to take two years. While the westbound lanes will stay open during this time, drivers heading toward Lake Huron can choose to either use major east-west surface streets or follow an 18-mile highway detour through central Detroit.

      I-696 serves as the primary east-west route of I-96, connecting Detroit’s affluent northern suburbs and industrial areas, including automotive manufacturing centers further north in Warren and Sterling Heights. The corridor is eight lanes wide for much of its length, and it is built below grade to minimize noise for neighboring communities and to allow surface streets to cross with minimal bridge construction.

      I-696 stretches 29 miles from St. Clair Shores at its eastern end to the I-275 interchange in Novi to the west. “Phase I” of the reconstruction saw closures around Farmington Hills. This time, the focus is on the nine miles between I-75 and Telegraph Rd., which will be off-limits to eastbound traffic. Certain sections of this route in Oak Park are capped to accommodate a sizable car-free population that moved north during the city's industrial growth. Extensive repairs will be undertaken on these caps, which are prone to leaking onto the freeway, creating ice hazards in winter. One of these caps contains Victoria Park, which will be completely rebuilt as part of the project.

      MDOT’s suggested detour for eastbound traffic involves an 18-mile route through the city, directing drivers onto the Lodge Freeway (M-59) southbound to the Davison Freeway—the nation’s oldest (and arguably most dangerous) limited-access highway. From there, motorists can access I-75 north to rejoin I-696 beyond the closure. While this detour adds only 10-15 minutes during light traffic, delays will be significantly longer during rush hour.

      For reference, I-696 is shown on the left, alongside the recommended detour for eastbound motorists. Drivers are likely to divert off the main route to use the east-west "Mile" streets, which run parallel to I-696 and are named based on the historic U.S. government survey grid. I-696 roughly aligns with 11 Mile Rd. Drivers aiming for Royal Oak, Berkley, or Huntington Woods will probably opt for 11 Mile or 12 Mile as local alternatives. However, traffic headed toward the southern suburbs of Woodward or central Detroit will find limited options south of 8 Mile, where several lanes are also closed for major infrastructure work.

      Although westbound traffic will remain open during the reconstruction, MDOT cautions that lane closures and traffic diversions will still affect travel throughout the project duration. Southeast Michiganders should be prepared for a challenging couple of years ahead.

      Have any tips? Share them at [email protected]