MDOT Looking For Solution To Rough I-696

ROYAL OAK, MI – Officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation were to meet Wednesday to discuss the condition of Interstate 696 through Macomb and Oakland counties. The meeting comes after reports of concrete falling from overpasses and hitting motorists' vehicles.

"As many drivers know, I-696 is a 40-year-old freeway badly in need of repair and projects are planned to begin in the spring to reconstruct it in Macomb County and Oakland County will receive major concrete repairs," said MDOT officials in a statement issued Tuesday evening.

The transportation agency is continually maintaining the highway, but potholes can develop at any time and anywhere, especially during the freezing and thawing cycles throughout winter months, MDOT officials said. Drivers need to stay alert for potential hazards, they added.

On Tuesday, the Michigan State Police reported that concrete fell from separate overpasses along the highway and hit vehicles of two drivers, according to a report in The Detroit News.

Some 100,000 drivers use the stretch of highway each day, according to MDOT.

A report by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association released earlier this week revealed 1,175 bridges along Michigan roads and highways are structurally deficient and need repairs.

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