OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – The I-96 Flex Route lanes in Oakland County from Kent Lake Road to the I-275/I-696/M-5 interchange are now available to drivers.
Beginning Wednesday, March 19, the left shoulders will be used at flex lanes during typical congestion in the morning and evening:
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- Eastbound I-96: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Westbound I-96: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Green arrow, red X
A green arrow will appear on the electronic signs above the freeway to indicate when the shoulder flex lanes are open.
A red X means the flex lane is closed, and driving on the shoulder is illegal at that time.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said the flex lanes will be opened only when it is safe to do so.
Who monitors the flex lanes?
MDOT’s flex lanes are monitored by the department’s transportation operations centers, which houses MDOT and Michigan State Police dispatchers that will monitor the lanes 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Along with controlling the overhead signs indicating when the flex lanes are open, MDOT said the centers will also allow operators to direct traffic around incidents that block a lane.
The signs can also display suggested speed ahead of slowdowns or traffic incidents.
Ramp meters
MDOT said ramp meters will soon be activated, which are traffic signals placed on entrance ramps to manage traffic flow entering the freeway during periods of heavy congestion.
