I-696 Construction Ahead In Oakland, Macomb Counties

WARREN, MI — Construction season is upon us and the next major project by the Michigan Department of Transportation will be underway soon, affecting Macomb and Oakland counties from the end of the month until approximately November. Lanes on I-696 between I-75 and I-94 will be closed down as crews work to revamp the road, impacting drivers from St. Clair Shores to the border of Royal Oak.

According to MDOT, the I-696 freeway carries approximately 150,000 vehicles a day through the two counties. The section in Macomb County is in very poor condition and the concrete will be replaced. The section in Oakland County has areas that need pavement repair and major maintenance.
This expedited $110 million project along the entire corridor is being performed with available funding this year before the nearby I-75 modernization project begins near I-696, MDOT said.

Here’s how it will impact drivers:

In Macomb County, eastbound I-696 will remain open from I-75 to I-94 while the westbound lanes will be closed from I-94 to I-75 for the entire project. The closing of one direction of the freeway will provide a safer work zone for construction crews and drivers, MDOT said.

The suggested detour for the westbound I-696 closure is westbound I-94 to northbound I-75 to westbound I-696. Eastbound I-94 traffic will also be detoured via northbound I-75 to westbound I-696. In Oakland County, the freeway will remain open weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with work being performed during overnights and weekends, including 10 weekends with freeway closures.