OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WWJ) – Spring is officially upon us and construction season in Metro Detroit is about to kick into high gear.
The Michigan Department of Transportation is kicking off its latest project on Monday as crews begin work on the I-96 Flex Route between I-275 and Kent Lake Road.
Starting Monday, crews will begin work on either end of that 12-mile stretch of the freeway, potentially creating a slower morning commute.
When the project is completed, an extra lane of traffic will be available along I-96, and metered traffic lights will help control the traffic entering the freeway.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming closures:
Daytime closures – Monday, March 21, through late March
• The right lane of westbound I-96 will be closed intermittently, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Crews will begin working on the WB side from I-275 to Novi Road, and move further west as shoulder work and crash investigation sites are completed, until reaching Kent Lake Road.
• The right lane of eastbound I-96 will be closed intermittently Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Crews will begin at Kent Lake and move east until they reach I-275.
• Ramps to I-96 will remain open for daytime work.
• Construction may also happen on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nighttime closures – Friday, March 25 through mid-April
• Both directions of I-96 will have nightly closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. between I-275 and Kent Lake.
• At times, only one lane will be left open.
• Ramps will close intermittently for nighttime work.
Related
MDOT says the part-time flex lane will be open at certain points of the day, including during rush hour and in the case of a crash that’s causing backups. The project, expected to take three years to complete, will widen the shoulders and median to make room for the flex lane, which is designed to allow traffic to flow more smoothly.
More information on the I-96 Flex Route project can be found on drivingoakland.org.