OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Six months after the construction began on I-696, the Michigan Department of Transportation has provided an update on the ongoing project.
The eight-mile stretch from I-75 to the Lodge is causing headaches for thousands of drivers who would normally travel on I-696.
There’s a ton of work that has to happen in a short amount of time.
When you’re standing on I-696 in Oak Park, the scope and scale of MDOT’s construction project are clear.
“We have a ton of concrete that’s been paved, we’re working on 60 bridges throughout the corridor,” said Brian Travis, a construction engineer with MDOT. “So, a lot that’s still happening.”
MDOT said the work on the eastbound side is about 75% completed. The Church Street plaza bridge is the next focus, and you’ll notice some changes.
“The next major exciting thing out here is setting the beams of the plaza street bridge,” said Travis. “There are 105 concrete beams that will start showing up on site after Labor Day.”
In March, the eastbound lanes of I-696 were shut down between Lahser Road in Southfield and I-75 in Royal Oak. The project meant 100,000 drivers in Oakland County were detoured every day.
“What normally would take me 15 minutes takes 30 minutes,” said one driver.
The eastbound lanes will be closed through next year. In a few months, drivers heading westbound on I-696 will be back on the westbound lanes.
“At that point, we’ll have three lanes maintained and exit ramps to I-75, Woodward, Southfield and Lahser/Telegraph,” said Travis.
The project is estimated to cost around $275 million and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2027.