A one-mile section of I-96 between Rosa Parks Boulevard and I-94 in southwest Detroit will be closed for 90 days beginning July 14, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.

The project is expected to be completed in mid-October, but could last longer. MDOT said it was offering the contractors million-dollar incentives to have the project finished by then.

The closure is part of the Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project that began in late February and has already caused the closure of several roadways in the same area.

The $170 million project is meant to ease bridge crossing for commuters, help remove truck traffic from city streets near the bridge and construct a pedestrian bridge at Bagley Street over I-75 and I-96, MDOT said.

"We are approximately 40 percent done with this large contract," said MDOT Region Engineer Greg Johnson.

Johnson also said it was the largest, single contract ever in MDOT's history.

The I-96 closure will rebuild the one-mile stretch, including 18 ramps and 24 bridges. MDOT said they would also add storm drains and new lighting along the stretch.

“They really need to repair it,” said commuter Lou Willams. “I’m not sure they need to close it down completely though, that’s a major hub.”

Commuters can download detour maps on MDOT’s Web site, MDOT online