SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) — Another round of long-term road construction in Metro Detroit is about to get underway.
The I-696 Restore the Reuther project will resume this weekend, with MDOT crews shifting both directions of traffic to the eastbound side of I-696 between I-275 and M-10, starting Saturday morning.
Crews will rebuild the westbound side of the freeway from M-10 to I-275, with the project expected to last through late fall.
To prepare for this traffic shift, there will be lane and ramp closures to install traffic control devices, pavement markings and the realignment of barrier walls.
Weather permitting, here’s what MDOT says Metro Detroit drivers can expect:
Beginning 7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17:
• Eastbound I-696 will be reduced to two lanes from I-275 to M-10 through late fall.
• Westbound I-696 will be reduced to two lanes from M-10 to I-275 for approximately one week.
• The northbound I-275 ramp to eastbound I-696 will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday
7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 - 5 a.m. Monday, Feb 26:
• EB and WB I-696 will have two lanes open in each direction between I-275 and M-10 through late fall.
• EB I-696 will have two lanes open from M-10 to Lahser Road through late fall.
• WB I-696 has two lanes shifted onto M-10 at Lahser Road/M-10/US-24 through late fall.
• The NB Orchard Lake Road ramp to westbound I-696 will be closed through late fall and detoured via WB 12 Mile Road and southbound M-5 to westbound I-96.
• The Franklin Road ramp to westbound I-696 will be closed through late fall and detoured via westbound 12 Mile Road and southbound Orchard Lake Road to westbound I-696.
It’s all part of the $275 million I-696 Restore the Reuther project, which includes includes rebuilding the roadway from the base up, including storm sewer replacement and rebuilding the ramps at Orchard Lake Road, American Drive, Franklin Road, and US-24 (Telegraph Road).
This year, WB I-696 will be rebuilt from east of US-24 (Telegraph Road) to I-275. It comes a year after the eastbound lanes were rebuilt.
More information on the project can be found at DrivingOakland.com.
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