(WWJ) There's progress to report on the ongoing, long-term "Restore the Ruther" roadwork project.
"This is absolutely great news if you are a 696 driver," WWJ's Luke Sloan reports.
On Monday, Aug. 31, the westbound I-696 ramps to northbound and southbound I-75 will reopen after a six-month closure for repaving, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
All eastbound lane of I-696, however, do remain closed in Oakland County. (Details here).
Eddie, from Warren, says it's really been a nightmare trying to navigate this every day. "I gotta go home...traffic... two miles an-hour," he told Sloan. "You know, a long day at work and you gotta stay like another two hours in the traffic."
David Bailey said the ramp reopens will be a big relief to him.
"I live in Hazel Park, so everywhere I go that interferes with my driving," Bailey said, "because of all the overflow traffic and so forth, so... I'm definitely happy."
MDOT has yet to put a firm date on it, but said in recent updates that the eastbound freeway is expected to reopen "before the end of the year." Earlier, MDOT had estimated a November reopening.
Looking ahead into next year, there's more freeway work to come in this area. MDOT says both eastbound and westbound I-696 will be closed between I-75 and Dequindre Rd. for repaving in 2027.
For more details and updates on the Restore the Reuther project, visit this link.
