A $90 million construction project will shut down westbound I-696 between I-94 and I-75 in Spring 2018.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced Wednesday due to poor condition the freeway must undergo concrete replacement on this stretch in Macomb County. Some bridges over I-696 will under maintenance work, too. The construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2018 and is expected to be completed by late 2018.
MDOT said this project must be completed while funding remains available and before the nearby I-75 modernization project gets underway. The transportation department fears a delay in action would push the start of this I-696 construction project to 2024.
According to MDOT, I-696 carries about 150,000 vehicles a day through Macomb County
How this affects drivers
For starters, forget traveling on westbound I-696 between I-94 and I-75. The suggested freeway detour for westbound I-94 traffic which normally would merge onto westbound I-696 is for traffic to remain on westbound I-94 until reaching I-75 in Detroit. Then drivers can travel northbound on I-75 until it hooks up with westbound I-696.
Eastbound I-696 will remain open between I-75 and I-94 for the duration of construction.
MDOT is holding a public meeting Tuesday, Oct. 24 to discuss further details about this construction project.
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