SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- The massive, two-year I-696 reconstruction project is nearing the halfway point, and is right on schedule.
That's according to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) spokesperson Diane Cross, who says they do expect to have the entire $280 million project completed by the end of 2026.
"When the schedule is planned, they build in a little extra time for bad weather; maybe there might be some supply delays, something like that," Cross told WWJ Newsradio 950's Luke Sloan. "So, based on the calendar, we're in great shape — right where we expect to be. We do still have another year to get through, though, and fingers crossed everything goes as well as planned."
As for what's next: Cross wants drivers to know about a big traffic shift planned for Friday, Nov. 14.
Crews are planning to switch westbound I-696 traffic from I-75 to M-10 over to the eastbound side in order to rebuild the westbound lanes. This traffic switch will limit the entrance/exit ramps available for westbound traffic.
Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, through 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, the following entrance ramps to westbound I-696 will be closed (reentry is at M-10 (Lodge Freeway)/Lahser Road):
• Couzens Avenue
• Bermuda/Hilton RoadM-1 (Woodward Avenue)
• Coolidge HighwayGreenfield Road
• Southfield Road
• Evergreen Road
From 4 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, to 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16:
• The northbound and southbound I-75 ramps (Exit 61) to westbound I-696 will be closed.
• Westbound I-696 will be closed from I-75 to Lahser Road. The suggested detour is southbound I-75, westbound M-8 (Davison Freeway) and northbound M-10 (Lodge Freeway) to westbound I-696.
Beginning 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, through late 2026, westbound I-696 will have three lanes open from I-75 to Lahser Road with only the following entrance/exit ramps open:
• I-75
• M-1 (Woodward Avenue)Southfield Road
• US-24 (Telegraph Road)/M-10 (Lodge Freeway)/Lahser Road
The following westbound exit/entrance ramps will be closed through late 2026 (all eastbound ramps will remain closed as well):
• Couzens Avenue
• Bermuda/Hilton Road
• Coolidge HighwayGreenfield Road
• Evergreen Road
Cross noted that this work, is weather-dependent. If the shift is delayed due to bad weather, it would be pushed to the following weekend.
Don't get caught in a jam! Before you hit the road, tell your smart speaker to "play WWJ nine-fifty" or stream WWJ live on free Audacy app to hear traffic updates every 10 minutes on the 8s. >>LISTEN LIVE