(WWJ) Thousands of Metro Detroiters already planning how they will get around with eastbound I-696 shutting down in Oakland County, starting in March.
With an 8-mile stretch of freeway closed for two years, Road Commission for Oakland County spokesman Craig Bryson says drivers can expect to encounter chaos on the surfaces streets — at least when the closure begins.
"As is always the case in a major project like this, the first week is going to be pretty chaotic, but it'll also give us a feeling for where the traffic is going and we can better respond once we know that," said Bryson, in an interview with WWJ Newsradio 950's Dan Jenkins.
"But, just please be patient; especially during that first week. We will get through this. It'll be challenging, but we will get through it."
During the final phase of the "Restore the Reuther" project, eastbound I-696 will be completely closed from Lahser Road in Southfield to I-75 in Royal Oak, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
MDOT said the closure will begin Saturday, March 1, 2025, and will end sometime in the fall of 2027.
While the official detour takes drivers on M-10 and the Davison, Bryson said the mile roads — from 8 Mile all the way up to 16 Mile — will be jammed with commuters looking for an alternate.
Bryson said the folks at the Road Commission are already coordinating with MDOT, as they do with all big projects.
He called the closure a "necessary evil," but said there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the effects.
"We are going to do everything we can to maximize traffic flow on our eastbound mile roads," Bryson promised.
"Fortunately, we have one of the most advanced traffic signal systems in the nation that automatically adjust timing based on traffic volume. So. if you've got a heavier than usual eastbound traffic flow, which we will, the traffic signals will automatically give more green time to that. That'll help some," he said.
Bryson said the mile roads are certainly going to be congested, as people try to figure things out.
"But...we're going to be monitoring our traffic signals," he said. "We're going to see where the people actually go. If ,you know, history is any any example, they'll probably dilute across a variety of mile roads — maybe even up to Big Beaver, going across to Metro Parkway in Macomb County."
"So, we'll be tracking all those roads and seeing if there are things we can do to to tweak traffic signal timing to try to improve traffic flow."
MDOT said the extended eastbound closure is necessary to allow for much-needed work on 696, including pavement upgrades, 60 bridge repairs, a plaza reconstruction, and updates to 1,100 drainage structures.
MORE: Eastbound I-696 will be CLOSED for 2 years in Oakland County, starting in March — what to know