SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Interstate I-696 will undergo repairs in Oakland County during this upcoming 2018 construction season.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced Thursday sections of the interstate will be repaired in Oakland County.
This is in addition to a $90 million construction project that will shut down westbound I-696 between I-94 and I-75 this spring. That closure will begin in April and last until November. Eastbound I-696 will remain opened.
The Macomb County suggested detour is I-94 westbound to I-75 northbound, adding about 10 miles to the route, MDOT officials said.
DETAILS: Westbound I-696 to shut down between I-94, I-75 for construction in Spring 2018
Oakland County I-696 construction
MDOT announced Thursday morning the construction will now stretch from I-275 to I-94 through both Oakland and Macomb counties. The construction in Oakland County will focus on the stretch of I-696 between I-275 and I-75.
"It's the pavement, the riding surface, that we want to improve," said MDOT project manager Alan Ostrowski.
Various segments on both the eastbound and westbound sides of the interstate in Oakland County will be repaired. Closures -- up to 10 of them in 2018 -- will take place on weekends in Oakland County. One segment will be closed at a time. Lane closures should be expected on weekday nights and on some other weekends.
The suggested detour is westbound and eastbound 8 Mile Road.
This project, as well as the work on I-696 in Macomb County, will begin in April 2018. All together it's estimated to cost about $120 million. The goal is to be finished by November 2018 as MDOT officials are pushing to be done with I-696 construction by 2019.
"The only work in 2019 will be on the service drives," said Ostrowski.
Watch the MDOT news conference here:
More project details -- traffic impact (per MDOT)
Lane closures will be required for overnight work 9 p.m. - 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Weekend closures will occur between 9 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday. Detours will be posted during weekend closures.
Currently, the planned detour for westbound I-696 in Macomb County is to take westbound I-94, then northbound I-75 to westbound I-696 (however, drivers can choose a detour route involving local roads as long as their vehicle complies with local weight restrictions).
During I-696 weekend closures in Oakland County, the Macomb County detour will be changed and posted. Details on the Macomb County project can be found at www.movingmacomb.org; details for the Oakland County project will be updated as they become available.
MDOT understands the impact this type of major work has on motorists, and works as quickly and as safely as possible to get the job done. This maintenance work will improve safety and provide a smoother driving surface, and is in advance of a major reconstruction project on I-696 in Oakland County scheduled in approximately five years.
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