Westbound I-696 between I-75 and the Lodge will close for a 10-day project.
The closure begins on May 9, 2025, at 9 p.m. and is expected to last until May 19 at 5 a.m. so crews can demolish the Church Street plaza bridge.
The extended closure time allows workers to demolish 170 concrete beams and clean up debris.
Eastbound I-696 is expected to remain closed for nearly two years, reopening in fall 2026.
Detour
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said traffic will be detoured via I-75, west on the Davison Freeway, and north on the Lodge Freeway to westbound I-696.
Another detour drivers can take is heading north on I-75 to 12 Mile to Telegraph and back to westbound I-696.
Restore the Reuther project
According to MDOT, the final phase of the Restore the Reuther project involved rebuilding I-696 from 2025 through 2026. In 2027, I-696 will have major work done between I-75 and Dequindre Road.
As part of the project, 60 bridges are expected to be repaired, including the rebuilding of the Church Street plaza bridge that contains Victoria Park.