DETROIT (WWJ) - The roadwork is going to seem endless along I-94 this construction season -- with a complete closure this weekend, and big backups to come.
The Michigan Department of Transportation says work on the Ford Freeway this season will extend from Detroit’s east side all the way to I-275; including total closures, lane reductions and other work that will hamper travel to downtown Detroit and to Detroit Metro Airport.
MDOT's Rob Morosi says they will be keeping as many lanes open as possible during the workweek, but weekends will be a different story.
((Major I-75 & I-94 Roadwork: Here's What You Need To Know))
"So if you're heading (to downtown Detroit) for a festival, a concert, a ballgame, anything of that nature, seek an alternate route," he told WWJ's Ron Dewey.
"Investigate some alternate routes," Morosi urged, "because there will be some portions of the freeway, east of Michigan Avenue, that could be closed on the weekend."
For starters, weather permitting, MDOT contract crews will be demolishing the French Road and Concord Street overpasses starting at 9 p.m. Friday, March 29. which will require closing I-94 between Conner Road and I-75 for the weekend.
MDOT's Diane Cross, meanwhile, has been urging drivers headed to the airport to give themselves some extra time, with multi-mile backups expected on I-94 during both the morning and afternoon commutes.
"It's going to be a mess this year," Cross said, asking that drivers try to be patient.
During this weekend's closure: Westbound through-traffic will be advised to take westbound M-102 (Eight Mile Road) to southbound I-75 and back to westbound I-94. Westbound I-94 will remain open to Conner Road for local access. Eastbound traffic will be detoured north on I-75 to eastbound M-102 and back to eastbound I-94.
All lanes of the freeway are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 1.