NOVI (WWJ) - Several construction projects on I-696, I-96 and Novi Road in Oakland County are snarling traffic for holiday shoppers headed to West Oaks, 12 Oaks Mall, Fountain Walk, Novi Town Center and more.
WWJ's Mike Campbell reported live from Novi Road near 12 Oaks Mall, going from Grand River up to 12 Mile Road, where vehicles could only drive on the center lanes.
"They're checking some of the core samples of the road work that's been done on the two inner lanes and once they finish that, they'll put cement on top of it again and that's going to take a little bit to cure," Campbell explained. "But once that happens, they'll move to the center lanes and block off the outside, the center lanes and work on those and move traffic to the outside."
Campbell said traffic doesn't appear to be too affected by the Novi Road construction work, but another project is the true Grinch of the holiday season.
The I-96/I-696 construction is creating more of a traffic nightmare for drivers trying to get through the area and frustrated drivers aren't helping matters.
The Flex Lane starts at Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills on I-696, but as drivers get on to I-96 heading west, it's down to a dismal one-lane commute.
Campbell said there are two lanes going up to the Novi exit, with one from I-275 northbound ramp to westbound I-96 that's a particular problem area.
"Nobody's playing nice and merging and they're all going all the way up to that point and then trying to get over and it's gonna be a long day until they get that single lane back open to two lanes on I-96 all the way up to Beck Road."
Drivers can expect long delays, Campbell warned, and should avoid the area altogether by taking alternative routes
