OAKLAND COUNTY – Four ramps on the I-75 and I-696 interchange need to be rebuilt, which will require drivers to take a detour starting in March and ending in early summer.
The detour will take drivers east of I-75 to M53 and will go north to M59 or south to 8 Mile.
This construction is part of the Restore the Reuther project, meant to enhance I-696 -- also known as the Walter P. Reuther Freeway.
For close to a year, I-696 construction in Oakland County has detoured eastbound drivers.
So far, the eastbound lanes have been rebuilt, and half of the Church Street Plaza and other bridge work has been completed.
The project started last March and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Drivers and business owners say the three-year project has been challenging to work around.
Lisa Jabbori, owner of Amaco at 10 mile and Greenfield, said fewer drivers have been stopping to fuel up.
“They need to hurry up, it’s way too long,” Jabbori said.
Diane Cross from MDOT says they’re working as fast as possible.
“You’re going to see a brand-new freeway, the quality of ride is smooth, the bridges have been repaired, Church St. Plaza bridge -- we do have a lot of work to do before the end of year,” Cross said.
The project will cost about 280 million dollars.
In 2027, MDOT will work on eastbound and westbound I-696 from I-75 to Dequindre.