I-696 Ramp Closed Indefinitely Following Green Ooze Discovery

METRO DETROIT, MI — The eastbound I-696 ramp to Couzens Avenue in Madison Heights has been closed “indefinitely,” officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said. The closure is due to the ongoing investigation and cleanup of green ooze that leaked onto the highway weeks ago.

Officials said that due to the ongoing investigation and cleanup efforts of a nearby facility by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), eastbound I-696 Exit 19 to Couzens Avenue is expected to remain closed, along with the northbound I-75 ramp to eastbound I-696, which will also have the far-right lane closed indefinitely. This lane normally ends at the Couzens Avenue exit.

Westbound I-696 traffic will not be affected, officials said.

For a detour option, motorists can use Eastbound I-696 traffic to go further east to exit at Dequindre Avenue (Exit 20).

For more information, check out this construction Location map.

As for the green ooze, the owner of the factory behind the toxic ooze is in prison.