MDOT Goes On Pothole Duty Along I-696, I-75

ROYAL OAK, MI – Let the battle with potholes begin – at least until the snow falls again.

That's the essence of a message sent early Thursday by the Michigan Department of Transportation, announcing that road crews would take advantage of a lull in snowfall for some road surface repairs. The transportation agency said road crews would work extended hours along Interstates 696 and 75 in Macomb and Oakland counties to fill potholes.

The work may affect morning and evening commutes, added the agency.

But, no fear, the crews are ready, metaphorically, to switch gears when the snow returns. "Crews will be working on potholes until the expected snow coming in the next few days will then require they switch to tackle salting and plowing," MDOT officials said in the statement.

MDOT asked that drivers have patience on the road and slow down for crews that block lanes, as well as personnel work next to live traffic trying to fill the holes in the road. The locations of where crews are currently working can be found at Michigan.gov/drive.

Earlier this week, the Michigan State Police reported that concrete fell from separate overpasses along I-696 and hit vehicles in two separate incidents, according to a report in The Detroit News. Some 100,000 drivers use the stretch of highway each day, according to MDOT.

File photo by the Associated Press